A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY
THE JOINT DECLARATION OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY
2 DECEMBER 2014 VATICAN CITY
77 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY FRONT COVER PHOTO by Grace Forrest
A victim of #ForcedChildMarriage in India bravely shares her story with Walk Free:
“Please don’t photograph my face, my in laws cannot see me like this.
“I am a victim of child marriage. I was 14 years old when I was married. Since I belong to a traditional family, I am not allowed to talk to any men in the community and I must wear a veil. When I came to my in- laws house, I was forced to work as their servant everyday… When I used to live at my in laws house I saw an NGO working for the children and I asked my Father In Law if I could meet with them, and he said ‘women cannot come outside of the house, and how dare you ask me about this’.
“I faced many hurdles at my in-laws house. I told my Father In Law that I wanted to teach the children who are very poor and vulnerable, that I would still do my work but I wanted also to do this. Finally he allowed me to leave for one hour at a time. I started to work in the community, especially with the very traditional families with some of the most vulnerable girls. I told them ‘if you are not ready to send your girls outside the home, its fine, we’ll come and we’ll teach your daughter.’ That way each and every daughter can live their life by their own wishes. Now I have built up trust with all families, if I recommend them something, they listen.” A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY
THE JOINT DECLARATION OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY
2 DECEMBER 2014 VATICAN CITY
1 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 2 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY CONTENTS
Preface Page 4
The Dream Page 6
Turning the Dream into Reality: A Journey of Global Significance Page 8
Fatwa Page 12
Modern Slavery Page 14
The Global Freedom Network Page 18
Founding Parties Page 24
Affiliated Modern Slavery Initiatives Page 32
The Joint Declaration of Religious Leaders Against Modern Slavery Page 36
News Throughout the World Page 40
Inspiring Words Page 42
The Future Page 54
Full Speech Transcripts Page 56
With Thanks Page 74
References Page 75
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 3 PREFACE
In a progressive world, more globally of modern slavery are pervading and Communion had reached an agreement interconnected and technologically harming countless societies and people. on a global initiative. Furthermore, it was advanced than ever before, it is difficult a rare joint initiative between Sunni and to comprehend that up to 36 million This is set to change. Shia Muslim leaders. human beings are trapped in modern slavery. It is the greatest number of On Tuesday 2nd December 2014, faith The Joint Declaration recognised the slaves in history. leaders from across the world breached power of reaching humanity through cultural, religious and political divides the channels of religion; it is estimated Modern slavery, taking many tragic to come together in Vatican City to that up to 90 per cent of the world’s forms, is a blight on modern civilisation pledge an end to modern slavery and population can be influenced through that has been described as a crime human trafficking by 2020. They were faith. The solidarity of the different against humanity. Its ugly tentacles joined by leaders from many countries faiths was a symbolic demonstration stretch through almost every country in of the world, representing the business, that clarified ambiguity towards modern the world, not discriminating between political and civil sectors. slavery in various religious texts, and religion, nationality or age. Modern proclaimed once and for all that modern slavery involves the ancient forms of In a watershed event, global leaders slavery is not acceptable in the eyes of slavery itself, human trafficking, forced from the Christian Catholic, Anglican any of the great faiths, indeed, never labour, debt bondage, organ trafficking, and Orthodox religions, as well as under God. forced or servile marriage, and the sale Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim and exploitation of girls, boys, women faiths, signed the Joint Declaration The signing event signified the and men. of Religious Leaders Against Modern first step in an initiative that will Slavery. Initiated and coordinated by eventually include the engagement and Over hundreds of years, many have the Global Freedom Network, the 2nd commitment of other world religious battled the seemingly impossible task December event was historic not only for principals, sovereign, corporate and civil of ending modern slavery. In modern its definitive commitment to work across leaders, and global influencers. With times, organisations have applied their religions to eradicate modern slavery, the Global Freedom Network continuing brightest brains, backed by significant but also because it was possibly the first to guide the journey, it embodies a resources and the best intentions, to the time ever that these faith leaders had collaborative endeavour of a massive issue. Yet, on a global scale, only small met as a group, unified in a common scale that includes partnerships and dents have been made in the armoury of cause, signing their names on the same alliances with networks and groups the evil creature that is modern slavery. document. It was the first time since the working towards the same goal: that the It is a problem that continues to grow, establishment of the Catholic Church trade and exploitation of human beings largely uncensored, and particularly that the Pope had met with a Grand for commercial or personal gain must in places where poverty and greed are Ayatollah in person. In addition, it was cease. different sides of the same coin. The the first time post the Reformation moral, political and economic outcomes that the Catholic Church and Anglican
4 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY LHS FRONT ROW: Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Taqi al-Modarresi; Sheikh Naziyah Razzaq Jaafar representing Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Basheer Hussain al Najafi (appeared via video); Her Holiness Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma); Pope Francis; Venerable Bhikkhuni Thích Nu Chân Không representing Zen Master Thích Nhâť Hanh; Dr. Abbas Abdalla Abbas Soliman, Undersecretary of State of Al Azhar Alsharif representing Mohamed Ahmed El-Tayeb Grand Imam of Al Azhar LHS MIDDLE ROW: Andrew Forrest; Grace Forrest;The Most Ven. Datuk K Sri Dhammaratana; Rabbi Skorka; Rabbi Rosen; His Eminence Emmanuel Adamakis of France, Church of Constantinople representing His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople (appeared via video) LHS BACK ROW: Imam Omar Abboud; Archbishop Justin Welby
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 5 THE DREAM
Modern slavery in all of its guises – such to spread the message far and wide that Forrest: to gain the commitment of the as human trafficking, forced labour, modern slavery is a corrupt and evil major faith leaders, working on behalf of sexual exploitation and organ trafficking abuse of core human values? their communities, towards eradicating – is endemic in many countries. It often modern slavery and signing the Joint preys on society’s most vulnerable The answers may well lie in the coming Declaration of Religious Leaders Against people, stripping them of their rights to together of religions in a united front Modern Slavery. freedom and dignity. It usually involves against slavery. If the teachings and money, corruption and widespread application of various faiths reach up to It was the first step in a vision that abuses of power. 90 per cent of the world’s population, embraces gaining the commitment of then there can be no greater way to other world leaders, including sovereign, It has long been recognised that there influence the vast majority of the world’s corporate and civil leaders, and other can be no single way to end slavery; it is population. For it will be through faith leaders, in the declaration that each a crime that must be tackled at all levels, the shifting of cultural norms and and every person is a free human being, through all networks and with a broad behaviours, complementing judicial, whether girl, boy, woman or man, and range of resources. It must be challenged supply chain and international protocol is destined to exist for the good of all in at its roots as well as dissolved in its enforcements, that sustained change will equality and fraternity. myriad of branches and channels. But occur. how to reach into the many countries and communities that harbour modern This was the dream of Australian Father Federico Lombardi holds up the signed Declaration; history is made. slavery and put an end to it? And how businessman and philanthropist Andrew
The Official Party Grace Forrest meets Pope Francis
6 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY Her Holiness Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma) signs The audience Andrew Forrest signs the Declaration on behalf of the Global Freedom Network the Declaration
Joy shared between Andrew Forrest and The Most Ven The Official Party Dr Abbas Sbdalla bbas Soliman signs the Declaration on behalf of the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Datuk K Sri Dhammaratana on the signing of the Declaration
Survivor Advocate James Kofi Annan reads the Declaration in English Pope Francis receives a gift Archbishop Justin Welby signs the Declaration alongside the Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Taqi al-Modarresi
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 7 TURNING THE DREAM INTO REALITY: A JOURNEY OF GLOBAL SIGNIFICANCE
The defeat of modern slavery is not a “FORREST THEN EMBARKED ON A goal for the faint hearted, nor is it a STRENUOUS JOURNEY TO BRING road to be travelled alone. The journey THE WORLD’S HIGHEST RANKING towards the Joint Declaration was as RELIGIOUS LEADERS TOGETHER important as the 2nd December event TO CONDEMN SLAVERY. MOST itself, requiring enormous levels of RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS energy, courage and generosity from ARE, BY DEFINITION, RIDDLED many individuals and organisations, and WITH PROTOCOL AND GRUELING a collaborative mind-set. FORMALITIES, AND ASSEMBLING SENIOR FIGURES OF DIFFERENT A renewed determination that something FAITHS IS A GARGANTUAN TASK. both practical and spiritual had to be WITH TIRELESS EFFORTS SPANNING done to address modern slavery had OVER A YEAR, THE GFN AND THE been gathering momentum around WALK FREE FOUNDATION WORKED the world in the years immediately WITH VATICAN OFFICIALS, FINALLY preceding 2nd December 2014. ACHIEVING THE IMPOSSIBLE, AND THE SUPREME CLERGYMEN The journey began back in 2012 in AND WOMEN CONVENED ON 2ND Australia when business leader and DECEMBER, 2014.” 1 philanthropist Andrew Forrest and his Sayed Mahdi al-Modarresi wife Nicola launched the Walk Free Foundation, with a powerfully simple mission of ‘a world without slavery’.
Sayed Mahdi Modarresi is a distinguished faith leader, author and lecturer, covering Islamic history, theology and spirituality. He has led prayers at the United States House of Representatives and lectures at forums around the world. Sayed Modarresi advises senior religious leaders on human rights and major faith initiatives. He provides a unique perspective on Islam in a cosmopolitan context, and is the author of The Lost Testament, What Christians Don’t Know About Jesus, published in 2015. Nicola and Andrew Forrest, founders of the Walk Free Foundation
8 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY “HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY. WE MUST UNITE On 13th March 2013, the world Reflection” in Rome, organised by the Andrew grew increasingly interested OUR EFFORTS TO FREE THE VICTIMS AND witnessed Pope Francis begin a new Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace to in the stance and role of religion in STOP THIS INCREASINGLY AGGRESSIVE papacy as head of the Catholic Church, encourage mining companies to discuss slavery, and recognised that, while CRIME WHICH THREATENS NOT ONLY and on 21st March 2013, Archbishop better ways to operate in synchronicity some religions were working on INDIVIDUALS BUT THE BASIC VALUES OF Justin Welby begin as Archbishop of with communities and the environment. interventions in various pockets of the 2 SOCIETY ...” Canterbury and head of the Anglican world, these were specific projects that Pope Francis Communion. It was here that Andrew enjoyed a long didn’t necessarily have geographic or and fruitful meeting with Cardinal Peter global reach or sustainability. He knew A new era of Christian leadership Turkson, and the two of them began to that faith-based interventions were After Grace Forrest first went to Nepal on began, and the leaders shared a unity plan out a strategy to bring all of the going to be required, and saw that faith a student trip in 2010 and was dismayed of encouraging a movement to arise religions together. Cardinal Turkson leaders would need to come together as by what she saw, the family sat around against modern slavery. was the religious leader who gave a united force if modern slavery was to the kitchen table toying about what Andrew the belief that while it would be eradicated. Underpinning this was a they could do to alleviate or perhaps The new Pope ensured that many of be extraordinarily difficult, all the great need to clarify the meaning and intent of even play a role in ending modern his speeches were sprinkled with his faiths could be persuaded to come slavery in religious texts. day slavery - much of which they had abhorrence of modern slavery calling it together in unity and love to defeat this witnessed in Nepal. This kitchen table a crime against humanity. common scourge affecting them all. Andrew decided to tackle the concept meeting led to the founding of the Walk head-on, flying into countries such as Free Foundation, and not long later, in a In May 2013, the Archbishop of Egypt, Russia, Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan, thorough audit of its own supply chains, Canterbury, the Most Rev’d and Rt Hon England and Italy in 2013 and 2014 Fortescue Metals Group discovered a Justin Welby, spoke about the challenge to hold discussions with faith leaders contractor serving it and hundreds of of human trafficking and its significance and gain their commitment towards a other clients around the world, using to the Churches of the World with Pope collaborative approach. He enlisted the forced and bonded labour as a key part Francis during a meeting at the Vatican. assistance of an old friend, Raza Jafar, of its supply chains. The determination The Anglican Communion was keen to a leading global businessman and of Andrew to form a business-like global work with the Catholic Church in new philanthropist. strategy to end modern slavery became and progressive ways, and regarded clear. He envisaged massive campaigns modern slavery as a challenge on which Not long after he arranged a meeting against modern slavery to emerge they could work together. with the Archbishop of Canterbury who sequentially but rapidly to embrace provided exactly the same level of strong the entire world. This included social In September 2013, Andrew Forrest encouragement as Cardinal Turkson had Cardinal Turkson media, business, direct intervention, participated in a “Vatican Day of done. It was those two men alone who global analysis and research on an convinced Andrew to devote much of his unprecedented scale, and a worldwide “THERE ARE ALREADY CLOSE AND TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN US life and capital to the risk of much of this government initiative. One of the keys failing. to all of these initiatives was to affect the AS FAITH LEADERS. OUR TASK NOW IS TO MAKE THOSE RELATIONSHIPS heart of man, and the resolve to turn to WORK EFFECTIVELY FOR THE WELL-BEING OF ALL PEOPLE. THE ANGLICAN 3 In Rome, Andrew was persuaded the religions and to join their battle with COMMUNION HAS GIVEN A HIGH PRIORITY TO THIS TASK.” Most Rev’d and Rt Hon Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury persuaded by the Australian Ambassador a coordinated strategic global business- to the Holy See, John McCarthy to work like initiative.
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 9 with a Bishop - Bishop Marcelo Sánchez the Vatican workshop in November time in history to end modern slavery. Moxon (for the Archbishop of Sorondo, Chancellor of PAS/PASS, as 2013 and February 2014, numerous They called this new body the Global Canterbury), Andrew Forrest (for the opposed to Cardinal Turkson. Andrew’s discussions took place with the idea of Freedom Network and resolved to meet Walk Free Foundation) and Dr Mahmoud only comment when asked about the creating a worldwide organisation to with the Vatican. Azab (for the Grand Imam of Al Azhar). veracity of this advice was that it made represent the urgent and united fight The inclusion of the Grand Imam, which the process of achieving 2nd December against slavery. On 6th February 2014, a Memorandum had come about following the building immensely more difficult. of Agreement to establish the Global of relationships through Andrew Forrest On 15 January 2014, Archbishop Freedom Network was signed in Vatican and Raza Jafar, was a critical milestone. Critically, Andrew and a team of advisors Sir David Moxon flew into Perth and City by religious representatives that included Raza Jafar and Amal introduced Andrew to Antonia Stampalija including the Chancellor of PAS/ On 1st April 2014, the office of the Noureldin were able to facilitate the who had considerable experience as PASS, Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Global Freedom Network opened and the declaration of a Muslim Fatwa against an executive working with major faiths Sorondo, Archbishop Sir David Moxon, inaugural Chief Executive Officer, modern slavery, in 2013. The team had throughout Australia and abroad. the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Ms Antonia Stampalija from Perth, held many discussions with Imams and Together, and with the agreement Representative to the Holy See, and Western Australia, commenced in her role. scholars at the Al Azhar University in in principle from Pope Francis and Andrew Forrest, Chairman of the Walk The Global Freedom Network’s office Cairo and Alexandria and in December Archbishop Justin Welby, they formed Free Foundation. was located within the walls of the Holy 2013. Andrew set a deadline for the the genesis of a new body to take their See in the beautiful and historic Casina Alexandria University to deliver the commitment and Andrew’s dream of Almost six weeks later, on 17th March Pio IV, current home of the Pontifical Fatwa, and as promissed, travelled uniting major faith leaders for the first 2014 at a press conference in Italy, Academy of Sciences, which Pope to Alexandria on the due date to an announcement was made to the Paul IV commissioned in the spring personally receive it to the great delight “WE WENT DELIBERATELY TO THE world that the Global Freedom Network of 1558. Upon Pope Paul IV’s death of particularly the Imams. They had HEART OF MAN, WITH THE AIM TO had been established. During the on 18th August 1559, Pope Pius IV unselfishly worked for many months CALL UPON RELIGIOUS LEADERS press conference, the Memorandum continued with the building project until to produce the first ever Fatwa against TO REACH AS MANY PEOPLE AS of Agreement was signed by Bishop completion in 1562. slavery. Andrew then took the Fatwa and WE COULD. THIS IS PARTICULARLY Sánchez (for the PAS/PASS), Archbishop personally delivered it to the Archbishop IMPORTANT WHEN RELIGIONS USE of Canterbury, who when holding it in TEXTS TO JUSTIFY SLAVERY. his hands, commented that this was the first Fatwa he had ever seen, and “WE WANTED TO REMOVE THE therefore the most important. Later, AMBIGUITY IN ALL RELIGIOUS TEXTS Andrew also personally gave a copy BY HAVING FAITH LEADERS DECLARE of the Fatwa to Pope Francis, and was THAT THERE IS NOW NO ROOM FOR further encouraged to continue drawing SLAVERY IN ANY TEXT, OR IN ANY the great faiths together, as now Islam FAITH. LONG JOURNEYS START WITH and Christianity had been drawn into A SINGLE STEP, AND I FELT THAT IT agreement. WAS IMPORTANT TO PERSONALLY GO AND VISIT FAITH LEADERS IN By the end of 2013, the seeds of a global THEIR COUNTRIES TO START THE network to end slavery, and the pursuit DISCUSSIONS.” 4 of a formal commitment from major faith Andrew Forrest, Chairman Walk Free leaders, had been firmly sown. Between
10 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY As a first priority and commitment of “WE WERE TOLD BY VARIOUS PEOPLE THAT IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO the newly established Global Freedom PULL OFF, THAT IT WOULD BE HARD TO AGREE ON WORDING. BUT WE Network’s Memorandum of Agreement, NEVER BAULKED, EVEN THOUGH WE WERE TRYING TO COMBINE WHAT HAD it was agreed that a joint faith leaders’ NEVER BEEN COMBINED BEFORE – PERSONALITY DIFFERENCES, CULTURAL, declaration against modern slavery and LANGUAGE, WAYS OF RELIGIONS – SOME ENORMOUS CHALLENGES. I HAVE human trafficking as a crime against NEVER BEEN ENGAGED IN SOMETHING SO HUGE AND COMPLEX. WE ALL humanity be pursued as a matter of HAD A SENSE OF URGENCY. WE KNEW THAT IF IT DRAGGED ALONG IT MIGHT urgency. FALL APART – PEOPLE WOULD THINK OF REASONS WHY IT WOULDN’T WORK, OR WE WOULD LOSE MOMENTUM. WE KEPT THE MOMENTUM BY KEEPING Discussions were held with major faith THE GOAL IN MIND.” 6 leaders around the world, including Archbishop Sir David Moxon, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Christian Catholic, Anglican and representative to the Holy See Orthodox as well as Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim. Gaining the support ongoing commitment to work with the of both the Sunni and Shia Muslim faiths Orthodox Church. was considered critical. This process involved travelling to countries in the On the 2nd of December 2014 – the Middle East, for example Iraq, in which International Day for Abolition of Slavery the personal safety of Andrew Forrest and – the historic event took place within the his team was dangerously compromised. walls of Vatican City. The team also travelled to Russia to commence the process of relationship- History was made with faith leaders building with Russian Orthodox Patriarch uniting to end modern slavery and Krill. While the Patriarch did not attend human trafficking. the Joint Declaration signing, there is an
“THIS WAS A HIGHLY COLLABORATIVE ENDEAVOUR THAT INVOLVED COMMITTED TEAMS FROM ITALY, THE UNITED KINGDOM, GERMANY AND AUSTRALIA. “WE ALL CAME TOGETHER TO MAKE THEY WORKED TOGETHER ON MANY IT WORK … THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM COMPLEX AND CHALLENGING ISSUES INTEGRATED WITH THE LOCAL TEAM OVER A PERIOD OF MANY MONTHS. THE IN ROME TO PUT TOGETHER THIS TEAMS WORKED AGAINST ALL ODDS TO HISTORIC FEAT.” 7 OVERCOME LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL Felicity Gooding, COO Minderoo DIFFERENCES; THE RESULTS WERE and Walk Free Foundation OUTSTANDING.” 5 Antonia Stampalija, Chief Executive Officer, Global Freedom Network
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 11 FATWA AGAINST SLAVERY
A Fatwa was issued by the Al Azhar sea, and have provided them with At- as he made hitting slaves on the face Today, slavery to other than Allah has Al Sharif, Preaching and Opinion Taiyibat (lawful good things ), and have a great sin, expiated only by setting almost ended everywhere but in rare Committee in Alexandria, Egypt, on preferred them above many of those the assaulted slave free. He also gave underdeveloped areas, leaving only 12th December 2013. The Fatwa was whom we have created with a marked slaves the option to free themselves by traces of slavery to personal urges, unilaterally declared against modern preference} (Verse 70, Sourat Al Isra’ ). buying their freedom for an amount human trafficking including children slavery and human trafficking, from And after guaranteeing good livelihood, of money to be paid in instalments; trafficking who are (sic) sometimes a Muslim perspective based on the Allah granted humans their freedom, that is in case they don’t find anyone kidnapped from their parents or teachings on the Quran. including the freedom to believe or to release them. The prophet (peace be guardians and sold as property, their disbelieve, as stated in the Holy Quran in upon him) was a role model in freeing organs sold without their consent, or In the name of Allah, what translates to: {then whosoever wills, many female war captures (sic), thus they become forced labour. The worst the most gracious, the most merciful let him believe, and whosoever wills, preserving their dignity and the dignity type of human trafficking in the modern Al Azhar Al Sharif let him disbelieve} (Verse 29,Sourat of their families. Allah prohibited world remains the kidnapping of women Preaching and opinion committee Alkahf). Allah in his mercy clarified the adultery in Muslim’s Shaira (sic) as it was and girls, tempting them with imaginary in Alexandria consequences of disbelief́, so that no prohibited in previous heavenly religion, jobs and high salaries, or raping them to To: Mr. Andrew Forrest - Chairman of one can have an excuse of not being and made just approaching adultery a fall as prey to criminals who hire them the Walk Free Foundation, informed. Allah assigned parents as huge sin punished by bad destiny. By to brokers and pimps, where they are May ALLAH peace, mercy, guardians to protect their children and that, Islam aimed at preserving human subjected to dreadful conditions, raped and blessings be upon you. raise them on virtue. Islam prohibited societies from corruption. The prophet at all times, including when sick or in kidnapping women and children, and as (peace be upon him) warned Muslims the period of menstrual (sic) and by over As Islam is a divine religion that slavery was spreading at that age, Islam of life’s temptations, women seduction 20 men in a single day. These women preserves the human right to live, Allah made freeing a slave equal to erasing on top of these temptations, giving his are usually stripped of their money in his mercy prohibited unrighteous sins, and made alI humans equal in front companions an example of the Jews, and identification documents, and left killing, and preserved human dignity, of Allah, with only knowledge and good whose first temptation was caused by a threatened by scandal, murder, or torture as stated in the Holy Quran in what deeds to elevate one over another. woman. The prophet says in the context: in case they attempt escape or refusal. translates to : {and indeed we have [beware of life’s temptations and beware These poor women become hostage of honored the children of Adam, and The Muslim prophet Muhammad (peace of women]. this condition, resented by religious we have carried them on land and be upon him) was a merciful prophet, societies, and helped by no one.
12 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY “WHEN THE FIRST EVER FATWA (AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY) WAS ISSUED, THERE WAS AN UNBELIEVABLE LEVEL OF WARMTH AND WELCOME FROM PEOPLE AND RELIGIOUS IMAMS. THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME WE STARTED TO GET REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS. GETTING THE FATWA WAS REALLY THE TURNING POINT.
“(AT FIRST) NO-ONE BELIEVED WE HAD A FATWA. THE FATWA DID NOT ONLY HELP IN LEADING UP TO THE 2ND DECEMBER EVENT, IT HELPED IN A BIG WAY WITH THE BOKO HARAM ISSUE IN NIGERIA – WHILE THAT WAS HAPPENING WE WERE ABLE TO ISSUE THE FATWA ALL OVER THE WORLD AND CAMPAIGN AGAINST (THE BOKO HARAM).” 8 Raza Jafar, global philanthropist and businessman
Human trafficking is now as powerful as right to live, especially with regards to a state, with almost billions of dollars women and children. in annual revenue. This tainted money comes from acts that are destructive to We hereby declare that Islam prohibits dignified human societies, a fact well white slavery trade, human trafficking, known to the United Nation and the children trafficking, forced labour and world. human organ trade.
We salute your efforts in combating We are hoping you will create white slavery and human trafficking by opportunities for collaboration with other exposing its means and networks, and Arab and Islamic organisations, in order warning the international community of to initiate a global workforce serving this the dangers associated with this crime, noble and pure purpose. as well as identifying and rehabilitating victims, so that they lead dignified May Allah lead us all to what is of good honest lives. This becomes of high for humanity. urgency today, especially with many societies falling under war, poverty, and division, such as Russia and some East Asian countries, and the wide spread of human trafficking networks in some European and American countries. Definition of “FATWA” /’fatwa:/ As we support your efforts, we wish you a ruling on a point of Islamic law given by a recognised authority. success to what is good for humanity, and ending injustice and modern age A Fatwa is the highest authority of the Islamic world, considered by most slavery, thus saving human dignity and academic and political leaders in the study of the Qur’an.
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 13 MODERN SLAVERY
Nearly 36 million people around the violence, usually for no pay and Slaves can be found in factories, fields world are trapped in modern slavery 9, for long hours. This can occur in and brothels, on fishing boats, within more than at any time in our history and factories, farms, fishing boats, and private residences and a multitude of in spite of the fact that slavery is illegal people’s homes. other places where greed and corruption in almost every country. Those enslaved • Bonded labour or debt bondage, in have overridden human values. People have had their rights and freedom stolen which people are forced to work in trapped in slavery live brutal existences from them in horrendous circumstances. order to pay off debts. This can be in cities and villages, slums and rural “MODERN SLAVERY INVOLVES They are often subjected to abuse, both inter-generational. areas. ONE PERSON POSSESSING physical and mental, and are treated • Children recruited as soldiers and OR CONTROLLING ANOTHER as commodities to be bought, sold and used in armed conflict. From Thai fisherman trawling fish, to the PERSON IN SUCH A WAY AS traded. • Organ removal for commercial gain Congolese boy mining diamonds, from TO SIGNIFICANTLY DEPRIVE by traffickers. Organs removed the Uzbek child picking cotton to the THAT PERSON OF THEIR Types of modern slavery include: without consent can include the Indian girl stitching footballs - modern INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY, WITH liver, kidney, pancreas, cornea, lung slavery is big business. Acknowledging THE INTENTION OF EXPLOITING • Men, women and children trafficked and heart. the problem, and advocating against it is THAT PERSON THROUGH THEIR and sexually exploited. our responsibility. USE, MANAGEMENT, PROFIT, • Forced labour in which people work TRANSFER OR DISPOSAL.” 10 against their will, under threat of Global Slavery Index
“THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THIS IS NO TIME FOR COMPLACENCY. RIGHT NOW, ACROSS THE GLOBE, VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING ARE DARING TO IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITY OF ESCAPE, THE CHANCE FOR A LIFE WITHOUT FEAR, AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO EARN A LIVING WAGE.” 11 John F. Kerry, US Secretary of State
14 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY “EVERY PERSON AND ALL PEOPLE ARE EQUAL AND THEIR FREEDOM AND DIGNITY MUST BE RECOGNIZED. ANY DISCRIMINATING RELATIONSHIP THAT DOES NOT RESPECT THE FUNDAMENTAL CONVICTION THAT THE “OTHER IS LIKE ME MYSELF” CONSTITUTES A CRIME, AND VERY OFTEN AN ABHORRENT CRIME.” 16 Pope Francis
A range of international conventions other (7 per cent) and organ removal World leaders from all walks of life world. Transnational criminal networks contend that slavery and human (0.3 per cent).12 In 2013, fewer than agree that all forms of modern slavery thrive in such conditions of vulnerability. trafficking is punishable by national law. 45,000 victims were identified, 10,000 constitute an abuse of human rights. In 2000, the United Nations adopted a prosecutions occurred, and only 6,000 Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish convictions were enforced.13 Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women “HUMAN TRAFFICKING RIPS APART THE LIVES OF INNOCENT AND HELPLESS Palermo Protocol and Children – the , Modern slavery is, sadly, big business CHILDREN, WHO EMBRACE LIFE WITH A HEART FULL OF SWEET DREAMS FOR THE which now has 186 countries as parties. for the criminals making a profit from FUTURE, BUT ARE LEFT, IN THE END, DESTROYED AND DISCARDED.” 15 Palermo Protocol The supplemented the human misery. It is estimated that total Her Holiness Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma) UN Convention Against Transnational profits from the use of forced labour in Organized Crime (2000). the private economy is of the order of an estimated USD150 billion per year. “Every human being — man, woman, However, legislation in some Business supply chains that navigate boy and girl — is the image of God; countries does not always comply numerous borders and involve various God is love and freedom, who gives with international requirements. The organisations and subcontractors can himself through interpersonal number of convictions has been low in prove difficult to trace. Forced labour can relations; therefore every human comparison to the estimated number exist in both the services industry and in being is a free person, destined to live of actual victims. In 2014, governments the production of goods. Consumers all for the good of others in equality and reported to the UN Office on Drugs and over the world, in developing countries brotherhood.” (Pope Francis) Crime that they had identified victims of and wealthy nations, regularly buy, eat 152 citizenships in 124 countries with or use products that result from forced Modern slavery is a complex issue in at least 510 trafficking flows detected. labour – either in full knowledge of their which risk factors are often intertwined. Of those victims identified, 49 per cent provenance or unknowingly. Poverty, lawlessness and unstable were women, followed by girls (21 per political systems and environments all cent), men (18 per cent) and boys (12 “The crime of trafficking in persons contribute. Many communities suffer per cent). Forms of exploitation of those affects virtually every country in every from harmful customs and a lack of identified included sexual exploitation region of the world.”14 (UNODC, 2014) education, while discrimination against (53 per cent), forced labour (40 per cent), women and children is rife all over the
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 15 SURVIVORS OF MODERN SLAVERY
Of special poignancy at the Joint Declaration signing on 2nd December 2014 were the stories of two survivors of modern slavery, James Kofi Annan and Claudia, whose heartfelt commitment to ending slavery reflected their determination that future generations would not have to suffer as they had.
JAMES KOFI ANNAN CLAUDIA
James Kofi Annan is the founder of Challenging Heights, a non-government Claudia (not her real name) was born into a poor family in Mexico, where she was a victim organisation in Ghana that protects the rights of children and particularly of child prostitution for four years. She survived to become one of the first successful focuses its anti-trafficking efforts on the fishing and cocoa industries. James is a people to go through Mexico’s reintegration processes. Claudia is now married and the survivor of child trafficking and child labour who was forced to work in villages mother of two daughters. She told the 2nd December event: along Lake Volta from the age of six, before he escaped at age 13. He became educated and worked in a bank before establishing Challenging Heights in “I was a victim of human trafficking; I was taken to a shelter where I recovered. After 2003. He told the 2nd December event: recovering, what struck me more were the psychologists. The psychologists, during therapy, told me that they understood me that they knew what I was going through. I “One of the main reasons why people are enslaved is poverty, but at the core asked them: How can you know what I’m going through, if you didn’t suffer it? That’s of it, it is people who take advantage of the vulnerability of others to enslave when I realised that we must help the survivors the way they need it. them and sell them. During the last nine years, my organisation, Challenging Heights, in Ghana, has rescued over one thousand children from modern-day “To truly help, one must understand what the survivors slavery; 90 per cent of them come from the churches. Both those who abuse feel. And that is how I realised I just wanted to help and those who are abused happen to come from the Christian community. other people that had suffered the same circumstances. I’m optimistic, and I have been so for quite a long time. “What that tells me, is that addressing Christian faith is very crucial in order I know we can put an end to human trafficking. Today’s to solve this problem. Lake Volta is an area where the ILO (International Labor event was amazing. I would never have imagined Organisation) estimates that over 48 per cent of all the children are enslaved. witnessing this day. These people support us by So we are talking about an enormous figure, but it’s committing themselves to help us put an end to human not insurmountable. trafficking. And that’s very moving, because it gives us strength to move forward, to help and understand the “We can achieve the goal of ending modern-day survivors better.” slavery within the target of six years. To do that, I believe all of us, joined together, can push to get the “TO TRULY HELP, ONE MUST UNDERSTAND WHAT last one per cent of children to go to school. If every THE SURVIVORS FEEL.” child is in school, then there will be no Claudia child who is enslaved, and that is what I believe the Global Freedom ”ONE OF THE ISSUES AT THE GRASSROOTS IS POVERTY … BUT AT THE CORE OF IT Network is all about, and I’m happy IS PEOPLE WHO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE VULNERABILITY OF OTHERS TO ENSLAVE to be part of it. Thank you very much THEM AND TO SELL THEM.” 17 for giving me this opportunity.” James Kofi Annan, Founder Challenging Heights
16 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY RELIGION AND SLAVERY
The eradication of slavery is an issue The world-first achievement of consensus “THE DEEPEST DESIRE OF OUR TEACHER IS THAT ALL upon which all major faiths can agree in in the form of the Declaration of RELIGIOUS LEADERS JOIN AND BUILD A TRUE FRATERNITY the present day. However, within each Religious Leaders Against Modern THROUGH DEEP MUTUAL LISTENING TO SUFFERINGS AND faith there are fundamental differences Slavery is even more significant JOYS, SO THAT WE CAN TOUCH THE HUMANITY SHARED BY ALL about what slavery entails, and the given the complexity of the fractured AND DEEPLY UNDERSTAND OUR INTERCONNECTEDNESS.” 18 boundaries of human behaviour that are understanding and teachings of slavery Bhikkuni Venerable Sister Chan Khong acceptable. in various faiths and cultures. It is important to recognise that the leaders This is an ongoing challenge for faith who signed the Joint Declaration were leaders in working together to eradicate not representatives of their religion “AT ITS CORE, DIVINE RELIGION IS ONE modern slavery: divisions within worldwide, but representatives of their THING, BUT FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND individual religions themselves create own major faith communities. RELIGION HAS DIVIDED HUMAN BEINGS internal tensions, with aspiration and AND CREATED BARRIERS BETWEEN US. application of a religion and its doctrines WE MUST EXERT EXTRA EFFORT TO TEAR often disparate according to the country DOWN THOSE BARRIERS AND JOIN and culture. RELIGIONS UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF A COMMON TERM.” 19 Sayed Mahdi al-Modarresi
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 17 THE GLOBAL FREEDOM NETWORK AND THE BOOK OF SIGNATURES
The Global Freedom Network works with The Global Freedom Network is the faiths, businesses, governments and “IN SPITE OF THE EFFORTS critical part of the Walk Free Foundation national authorities, and civil society OF A LOT OF PEOPLE OVER multi-tiered strategy to end modern groups and NGOs throughout the world A LONG TIME, THINGS HAD slavery. While most of Walk Free’s to eradicate modern slavery and human NOT CHANGED, THEREFORE IT work has been “boots on the ground” trafficking by 2020. It has its origins NEEDED FAITH SUPPORT. UP TO with direct intervention into slave in the 2013 discussions between the 90 PER CENT OF THE WORLD IS communities by The Freedom Fund, there Walk Free Foundation, the Anglican INFLUENCED BY FAITH. has been unprecedented and detailed Communion and the Roman Catholic research and measurement by the Global Church, and was founded in early 2014. “THIS (FIGHT AGAINST Slavery Index and massive on-the- MODERN SLAVERY) WAS AN ground support with the world’s largest On 17th March 2014, a Memorandum IDEAL CHALLENGE THAT THE anti-slavery social movement, all leading of Agreement and Joint Statement ANGLICANS AND CATHOLICS to the Global Fund to End Slavery. The establishing the Global Freedom COULD RISE TO TOGETHER. WE Global Freedom Network’s role is to Network were signed by representatives BOTH AGREE THAT IT IS WRONG, collectify global support through the from Lambeth Palace in the United A TRAGEDY, AND A CRIME book of Joint Declaration’s historical Kingdom, Casina Pio IV in Vatican City, AGAINST HUMANITY.” 20 signatures to ensure global leadership Al-Azhar Mosque in Egypt and Walk Archbishop Sir David Moxon, support at all levels. Free Foundation in Australia. The Global the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Freedom Network officially opened its representative to the Holy See doors, in Vatican City, on 1st April 2014.
18 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY As at 2nd December 2014, a Governance • H.E. Ambassador Pierre Morel, and Leadership Council, comprising Director of Pharos Observatory on representatives from the Holy See, Cultural and Religious Pluralism Anglican Communion, Walk Free • Archbishop Sir David Moxon, Foundation, Australian Embassy at the Archbishop of Canterbury’s the Holy See, and the Grand Imam representative to the Holy See of al-Azhar al-Sharif Ahmed El- • H.Em. Cardinal George Pell, Tayeb, represented the interests and Prefect of the Secretariat of the engagement of the various parties. Economy and Member of the The inaugural Council comprised: Council of Cardinals • H.E. Bishop Marcelo Sánchez • The Rev. Rachel Carnegie, Joint Sorondo, Chancellor of PAS/PASS Executive Director of the Anglican (Inaugural Council Chair) Alliance • H.Em. Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, • Mr Andrew Forrest, Chairman Walk President of the Pontifical Council Free Foundation for Interreligious Dialogue • Ambassador Mahmoud Abdel • H.Em. Cardinal Peter Turkson, Gawad, Chief Diplomatic Advisor to President of the Pontifical Council Grand Imam of Al Azhar for Justice and Peace • Raza Jafar, Vice-Chair Walk Free Foundation, Middle East and North • (Executive Staff) Africa Antonia Stampalija, Chief • H.Em. Cardinal Kurt Koch, Executive Officer; Gabriella C. President of the Pontifical Council Marino, Board Manager In March 2015, Monsignor Sánchez Sorondo, withdrew as the Catholic for Promoting Christian Unity • (Honorary Council Members) party to the Global Freedom Network. The withdrawal took place • H.Em. Cardinal Oscar Andrés H.Em. Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, simultaneous to the election of the new chair, as contemplated under the Memorandum of Agreement Rodriguez Maradiaga, President President Emeritus of the Pontifical provisions of the . Each faith will continue of Caritas International and Council for Justice and Peace to work out its own particular commitment to the declaration, within or Coordinator of the Councils of and Vice-Dean of the College outside the network. The Executive Board of Global Freedom Network Cardinals of Cardinals; H.Em. Cardinal now includes Archbishop Sir David Moxon, Andrew Forrest and Antonia • H.Em. Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Georges Marie Martin Cottier, Stampalija. As at the start of November 2015, the Council comprised: Member of the Council of Cardinals O.P., Pro-Theologian Emeritus of the Archbishop Sir David Moxon, the Rev. Rachel Carnegie (Anglican • H.E. Ambassador John McCarthy, Prefecture of the Papal Household Communion); Andrew Forrest, Raza Jafar (Walk Free Foundation); Australian Embassy, The Holy See and PAS Academician Ambassador Mahmoud Abdel Gawad (on behalf of the Grand Imam of al-Azhar al-Sharif Ahmed El-Tayeb); H.E. Ambassador John McCarthy, Australian Embassy to the Holy See; and Antonia Stampalija (Global Freedom Network).
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 19 THE BOOK OF SIGNATURES AND DECLARATIONS
20 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY INTRODUCTION to the RELIGIOUS LEADERS Joint Declarations Joint Declaration
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 21 CIVIL LEADERS CORPORATE LEADERS Joint Declaration Joint Declaration
22 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY SOVEREIGN LEADERS GLOBAL INFLUENCERS Joint Declaration Joint Declaration
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 23 THE GLOBAL FREEDOM NETWORK: FOUNDING PARTIES
Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace; Dr Mahmoud Azab; Archbishop Sir David Moxon, representing Archbishop Justin Welby; Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences; and Mr Andrew Forrest, Chairman of the Walk Free Foundation were the founders and architects of the Global Freedom Network.
24 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY CARDINAL PETER Cardinal Turkson played an instrumental to come together in unity and love on of God along with the intangible dignity role in the development of the Joint this urgent issue,” Andrew said. “We both of every person, confident in the Good TURKSON Declaration, through his encouragement knew that failure was the most likely News of Jesus Christ, who is capable of and support for the work of Andrew outcome, but the prize of eradicating renewing the heart of man, where sin is Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson is Forrest in the goal to eradicate modern slavery as an excuse in religions, and most abundant”. the President of the Pontifical Council slavery and garner faith leaders’ having on board the world’s faith leaders for Justice and Peace, first appointed engagement. - covering most of the world’s population “However, despite the great efforts of to the role on 24 October 2009. Born - was worth taking the risk, even if was many people, modern slavery continues in Western Ghana as the fourth of 10 “Cardinal Turkson gave me belief. He 1000 to one.” 21 to be an atrocious scourge that is present children in 1948, Cardinal Turkson has knew that what we planned to undertake on a large scale throughout the world, served as the Archbishop of Cape Coast, would be incredibly difficult, because it Cardinal Turkson is a humanitarian even as tourism. This ‘crime of injured and was elevated to the cardinalate by was without precedent. However he felt who has spoken passionately about the humanity’ is masked by apparently Pope John Paul II in 2003. that the great faiths could be persuaded environment, agriculture, sustainable accepted habits, but in reality it creates development and the values of victims in prostitution, human trafficking, humanity. He was a major contributor forced labour, slave labour, mutilation, to the Pope’s World Day of Peace on 1st the sale of organs, drug abuse and child January 2015, which had the theme labour. They are concealed behind closed “Slaves no More, but Brothers and doors, in special places, on the streets, Sisters”. On the day, Cardinal Turkson in cars, in factories, in the country, in explained: “Starting from the Epistle of fishing boats and in many other places. Paul to Philemon and other passages And this happens in both cities and from the Bible, “the Holy Father shows villages, in the reception centres of the that God’s plan for humanity does not richest and poorest countries in the have any place for the enslavement world. And the worst thing is that this of others, since God calls to all of his situation unfortunately worsens every sons and daughters to renew their day”.22 interpersonal relationships, respecting in each person the image and semblance
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 25 DR MAHMOUD AZAB and that for 14 centuries Islam had the Pope quoted an unfavorable remark proclaimed the truth that all humankind about Islam made at the end of the 14th Dr Mahmoud Azab, the most senior – every single human being, Muslims Century by a Byzantine emporer. The advisor to the Grand Imam of al-Azhar and non-Muslims, believers or none quote was translated, and widely taken and globally recognised figure in – was a creature of God and it was the out of context, resulting in protests in interfaith dialogue, played an important dignity of the creature of God, the many countries. role in the journey towards 2nd human being, that must prevail. Joint Declaration December 2014. Sadly, he passed away The proved to be in Cairo, Egypt, in June 2014. He described the great eagerness a remarkable way to build bridges and interest with which the al-Azhar between the Muslim faith and the Dr Azab, a former Professor of Semitic University in Egypt responded to Vatican, with Dr Azab’s gentle and languages at the Islamic University of Al the initial invitation from the Walk thoughtful presence an instrumental Azhar in Cairo and Associate Professor of Free Foundation to meet, with the part of the journey. classic Arabic and Islamic studies at the understanding that it underpinned the National Institute of Oriental Languages school of Islam’s beliefs on justice and and Civilisations in Paris, strongly reason. advocated for interfaith conversations. He was regularly described as an Dr Azab was particularly forthright in emblem for tolerance. views about why relationships between the al-Azhar and Vatican had fallen to a Dr Azab represented the Grand Imam low ebb after comments made by Pope of al-Azhar at meetings of the Global Benedict XVI during the Regensburg Freedom Network. He told interfaith Lecture in September 2006. In that peers that Islam was 100 per cent address, titled “Faith, Reason and the against all forms of modern slavery, University – Memories and Reflections”,
26 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY At the 2nd December 2014 event he said:
“I believe we have hope today which you can turn into reality through cleansing business supply chains, through toughening up legislations and prosecutions, through faith based communities mobilising themselves all over the world, because they know their communities better than almost anybody else. I am hopeful!
“I do think we need to say that the conscience of business people needs to be steered by faith communities, and we’ll ask business leaders who have already cleansed their supply chains to ARCHBISHOP JUSTIN lead that cause. WELBY “If you look around today, you’ve got countries, faiths, ethnic groups from all The Most Rev’d and Right Hon Justin Welby, ARCHBISHOP SIR over the world and all socio-economic Archbishop of Canterbury, was an early and DAVID MOXON conditions, so the genius of today is engaged supporter of the journey towards 2nd that people from all conditions and December 2014. Together with Archbishop Sir Arhcbishop Sir David Moxon is all economic strata and all economic David Moxon, the Archbishop of Canterbury the Archbishop of Canterbury’s dispositions have to see if they will fight committed to joining in the strongest possible Representative to the Holy See and this together.” collaborations between national governments, Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome. the business sector, police forces, civil society, He is a New Zealand born Anglican Archbishop Moxon said the Anglican faith communities and all those who long to bishop whose own journey in fighting Communion sought collaboration with see all humanity live in freedom. He was a modern slavery was sparked at the other faiths.“ (Before) we had not worked particular pillar of strength to Andrew Forrest November 2013 conference in the interdependently globally on the issue in the earliest discussions about gaining the Vatican. of modern slavery. We have activities commitment of major faith leaders towards in local places, but were not part of eradicating modern slavery. a collaborative joined-up network. In particular, this is the biggest global project to date of an ongoing kind in Anglican-Catholic cooperation.”
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 27 BISHOP MARCELO “No less important is Pope Benedict compromised by the globalisation of human trafficking already occupies first XVI’s 2011 address to the new German indifference whose gravest consequences place, so that far from being a declining SÁNCHEZ SORONDO ambassador to the Holy See, when, after can be seen in modern forms of slavery social crime, it is becoming ever more expressing his gratitude to the German and human trafficking – the systematic threatening.” Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo is government, he expressed his grave deprivation of a person’s liberty, and Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy concern about the sexual discrimination abuse of his or her body, for example Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo said of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of women, because ‘every person, through mutilation or organ removal, for gratitude was owed to Pope Francis for of Social Sciences at the Vatican. He whether man or woman, is destined to the purposes of commercial exploitation. identifying one of the most important reflected on the Catholic Church’s exist for others. A relationship that fails social tragedies of our times and for stance on slavery after the signing of to respect the fact that men and women “UNODC estimates that the vast majority establishing, for the first time, on 8th the Joint Declaration, saying that the have the same dignity constitutes a grave of the trafficking victims detected February 2014, an International Day Second Vatican Council stated “slavery, crime against humanity.’” globally are females; either adult young of Prayer for the Victims of Human prostitution, the selling of women women or underage girls. Each year, Trafficking, on the Feast of St Josephine and children, and disgraceful working “Pope Francis has made eradicating about two million people are victims of Bakhita, herself a Sudanese woman who conditions where people are treated as modern slavery a central programme of sexual trafficking, 60 per cent of whom was a victim of slavery in the first half of instruments of gain rather than free and his pontificate.” are girls. Organ trafficking affects 0.3 the 20th century. responsible persons” were “infamies per cent of trafficking victims who are which poison human society, debase Of the Joint Declaration, Bishop Marcelo forced or deceived into giving up an their perpetrators and constitute a Sánchez Sorondo commented: organ (liver, kidney, pancreas cornea, supreme dishonour to the Creator.” lung, even the heart), not without the “In a powerful demonstration of complicity of doctors, nurses and other “In one of the few documents of the solidarity, perhaps this was the first time medical staff who have pledged to Magisterium of the Popes on the issue of that religious leaders had come together, follow Hippocrates’ oath Primum non slavery, St John Paul II added that ‘such adding to their ongoing inter-religious nocere. But these chilling figures ‘are situations are an affront to fundamental dialogue, to make a common statement only the tip of the iceberg’, as criminals values which are shared by all cultures to affirm that the other is a free person generally go to great lengths to prevent and peoples, values rooted in the very like you and must be recognised as the detection of their activities. Some nature of the human person. Moreover, such, and that you must treat others observers speculate that, within 10 years, he affirmed that the problem is a central as you would treat yourself. You must human trafficking will surpass drugs and one for the social sciences and natural love your neighbour as yourself. This weapons trafficking to become the most sciences, in particular in the context of means upholding and defending the profitable criminal activity in the world. globalisation. true identity of human beings which is Recent trends, however, indicate that
28 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY GRACE FORREST
Grace Forrest, the co-founder of Walk Following this experience, Grace lived ignorant’; those who choose to ignore Free Foundation, had just turned 15 and worked in Nepal for five months or deny the harsh reality of a criminal when she went to Nepal to help out in an during 2011 at a rehabilitation and activity that thrives in hundreds of orphanage, in an initiative organised by rescue home run by Maiti Nepal. countries throughout the world. her school. She had no way of knowing Established in 1993, Maiti Nepal “We knew we wanted to start an it when she arrived in Nepal, but she worked with women and children who international organisation – a was to work with children who had been had been subjected to various forms of collaborative body to empower trafficked or rescued from slavery. Her exploitation, including many forms of people who are working in one experiences there ignited a passion slavery. small area to connect them with to do more to stop modern slavery. others; to work on supply chains On a visit to the country two years Driven to do whatever she could to help and in big business; to work with later, this passion firmed into a strong those most vulnerable, Grace spoke with governments in ways that push commitment once she realised that the her family about how they could help, them; to work with religious patterns of trafficking were repeating initially setting her sights just on Nepal leaders who inspire community themselves, and that some of the young and on rescuing girls and helping them change, and in some instances girls, whose physical and emotional scars to gain an education. Andrew, however, national dialogue and law, in a she had witnessed in stark reality, had wanted her to see the bigger picture very different way to politicians.” probably been returned to slavery. and tackle global slavery. Grace started working with her parents to establish “I first discovered slavery when the Walk Free Foundation, as well as I was only a child myself. I was developing a scholarship program to working with children who had enable children to access education in been rescued and were going Nepal. “EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW THAT SLAVERY STILL EXISTS. AND ON THE through rehabilitation. Despite the MOST BASIC LEVEL, WE AS CONSUMERS MIGHT ALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR fact we were all just girls spending Grace, now a social justice and ITS CONTINUATION. THERE ARE MORE SLAVES TODAY THAN HAVE EVER time together, their physical and international relations university EXISTED IN THE HISTORY OF HUMANKIND. ARGUABLY, THESE PEOPLE ARE emotional scars – from the torture graduate, is adamant that there needs to SUFFERING WORSE CONDITIONS THAN EVER BEFORE, PRIMARILY DUE TO they had endured – fundamentally be exposure to this issue and ongoing THE DISPOSABLE NATURE OF THIS TRADE. HOWEVER, THE WORLD IS ALSO changed my view of the world and education of those who are ‘wilfully THE MOST EQUIPPED IT HAS EVER BEEN TO COMBAT THIS MONUMENTAL my place in it.” 23 ISSUE. LEGALLY, SOCIALLY AND POLITICALLY WE ARE ARMED. NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT. WE MUST BAND TOGETHER AND FIGHT TO END THIS CRIME.” Grace Forrest
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 29 MR ANDREW was aghast to find that most of the girls an annual multi-faith service held in has amassed a global membership, uses were no longer there, and their change the presence of Her Majesty Queen social media and technologies, and FORREST in circumstances were unknown. This Elizabeth II, Heads of Government, High organises campaigns and communities experience was just a peep-hole into the Commissioners and other dignitaries. in many countries. Andrew Forrest is a leading businessman world of modern slavery, but it spurred The only Australian invited to provide and philanthropist, with global business Andrew and his family to examine the a formal address, Andrew spoke Andrew’s dedication to ending slavery interests spanning the resources sector issue on a global scale and prompted about connecting cultures through saw him flying around the world many (he founded the world’s fourth largest their resolve to do something about employment and careers, and used times to enlist the commitment of the iron ore exporter, Fortescue Metals the atrocities being committed against the opportunity to call for action by all world’s highest ranked faith leaders, Group), agriculture and property. He human beings. They founded the Walk Commonwealth nations to do more at times travelling to regions in which is a devoted philanthropist who is Free Foundation in 2012. to end slavery. “Human slavery and personal safety was compromised. From committed to working to end Indigenous trafficking – to the shock of most – is Egypt to Turkey, Russia to Iraq, and disparity in Australia through training Andrew recognised the role of business alive and well in practically every nation London to Rome, he was dogged in his and employment initiatives, supporting in stamping out slavery, and introduced on earth,” he told the forum. “Only pursuit of engagement, overcoming the broader education outcomes, and ending to Fortescue Metals Group an audit of when we can truly connect our cultures particular formalities and conventions modern slavery. its supply chain, going on to require all and participate in a global initiative to associated with different faiths as he address this blight on the very nature achieved the improbable feat of gaining of humanity will we adequately address the commitment of almost all leaders to “SLAVERY HAS NO PLACE IN THE MODERN WORLD. TOGETHER, WE CAN it. Slavery is not a developing world meet in the Vatican on 2nd December BUILD A WORLD WITHOUT IT. A WORLD WHERE IT IS UNTHINKABLE TO BE problem, or a developed world problem, 2014. This was achieved in the space of TREATED LIKE SOMEONE ELSE’S PROPERTY. A WORLD WHERE THOSE WHO or a third world problem. It is our less than a year. STEAL OTHER PEOPLE’S FREEDOMS ARE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. A WORLD problem! It flourishes everywhere lack WHERE EVERYONE CAN WALK FREE.” 24 of employment exists, due to insufficient Walk Free Foundation economy; paternalistic welfare driven payments, and low expectations of one Andrew’s personal journey against suppliers to sign an affidavit that no person to another.” 25 modern slavery began when he saw forms of modern slavery existed in their slavery and trafficking through the businesses or those of their suppliers. The Walk Free Foundation believes that eyes of his eldest daughter, Grace. As a Those companies that were not able to eradicating modern slavery will take teenager in 2008, Grace had worked in provide assurances had their contracts the work of many, with a collaborative a Nepalese orphanage, helping to care terminated. approach needed to complement for young girls who had been subjected individual interventions. It aims to to slavery and trafficking. When she On 14th March 2012, Andrew spoke work with the significant number returned to the orphanage with Andrew at Westminster Abbey in London at of groups around the world that are and his wife, Nicola, two years later, she the Commonwealth Day Observance, fighting slavery. To do this, Walk Free
30 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY “IT’S ONE THING TO KNOW ABOUT A TERRIBLE PROBLEM AND NOT BE ABLE TO FIX IT; IT IS ANOTHER TO KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND HAVE THE MEANS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.” Andrew Forrest
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 31 THE GLOBAL FREEDOM NETWORK & AFFILIATED MODERN SLAVERY INITIATIVES
THE GLOBAL SLAVERY INDEX
A problem as deep and as vast as modern Some key facts from the 2014 GSI: response to modern slavery were: slavery needs to be properly understood. • 167 countries were ranked, The Netherlands, Sweden, the Those working on solutions to this based on the percentage of a United States of America, Australia pressing challenge need to understand country’s population estimated and Switzerland. The Global Freedom Network the size and scale of it, as well as to be in modern slavery. These • The five countries with governments works in tandem with other responses and contributing factors. countries were also rated on their taking the least action to end organisations to ensure government’s response to end modern slavery were: North Korea, a synergistic effort to The Global Slavery Index is the first modern slavery. Iran, Syria, Eritrea and Central end slavery. This includes index of its kind, providing estimates, • More than 60 per cent of people African Republic. measurement and monitoring country by country, of the number of living in modern slavery are • The five countries at the highest programmes, and funders people trapped in modern slavery. from five countries: India, China, risk of modern slavery, or most such as the Global Fund to The annual ranking, published by the Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Russia. vulnerable, were: Somalia, Eritrea, End Slavery and the Freedom Walk Free Foundation, is a tool used by • Mauritania, with four per cent of Sudan, Yemen and Democratic Fund, which recognise that governments, businesses and non- its population in modern slavery, Republic of the Congo. to date funding has not government organisations to assist in ranked number one on the table, by been nearly enough to solve developing and implementing policies number of slaves as a proportion of and programmes to help end modern country population. Other countries “WITHOUT A DOUBT, HUMAN a problem as complex as SUFFERING FROM MODERN modern slavery. Further, slavery. in the top 10 were: Uzbekistan (3.97 per cent), Haiti (2.3 per cent), SLAVERY IS UNJUST AND UNJUSTLY funds must be coordinated RIGHT TAKING, A MATTER THAT WE and properly managed in The 2014 Global Slavery Index (GSI) was Qatar (1.36 per cent), India (1.14 the second index published. It relates per cent), Pakistan (1.13 per cent), DO NOT ACCEPT AT THE DOCTRINE order to achieve the most AND LEGISLATION LEVELS.” 26 effective outcomes. data across three dimensions: the size of Democratic Republic of Congo (1.13 the problem, according to the estimated per cent), Sudan (1.13 per cent), His Eminence the Grand Ayatollah prevalence of modern slavery country Syria (1.13 per cent) and Central Sheik Basheer Hussein Al-Najafy by country and the absolute number African Republic (1.13 per cent). by population; government responses • In terms of absolute numbers of to modern slavery; and vulnerability – people enslaved, India, China, the factors that explain or predict the Pakistan and Russia represented the prevalence of modern slavery. countries where modern slavery is most prevalent. • The top five ranked countries for the strength of the government
32 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 29 CAMPAIGN WINS THE WALK FREE • Stop trafficking of women in Argentina MOVEMENT • Protect children in Scotland from trafficking • Slavery and the sustainable development goals • Help end domestic slavery in Belgium The Movement is the largest online anti-slavery community in the world. We provide everyday people with the opportunity to • Ghana Police: Protect children from slavery ensure their calls to end modern slavery are heard and acted • US: Survivor voices upon. By working with partner organisations around the world, • EU: Tackle the trade in conflict minerals coordinating the voices of millions of members globally, the • End child slavery in India Walk Free Movement secures change in government policy, • Transparency in UK supply chains business practice and social attitudes, to help end slavery. • Ensure Harry Potter chocolates are slavery free The Movement has established strong roots as a global • Protect EU laws to fight trafficking organisation, with campaigners working remotely in-country • End slavery in the Thai fishing industry alongside partner organisations. We have activated new • Missing in Qatar members, and now communicate in English, Arabic, Indonesian, • Governor Brown: Protect trafficking victims Spanish and Portuguese. • New Zealand: End slavery at sea • Strong global law to fight forced labour • US child welfare bill SINCE THE WALK FREE MOVEMENT WAS • Recruitment agencies in the Phillippines LAUNCHED, IT HAS GROWN TO BECOME THE LARGEST ONLINE MOVEMENT IN THE WORLD • Forced child marriage in Iraq DEDICATED TO ENDING MODERN SLAVERY. • End child trafficking in the UK • New atni-trafficking laws in Scotland • FIFA: Help end modern slavery in Qatar • Protection for trafficking victims in the US • New anti-slavery laws in Australia • Protect US military contractors from slavery • Myanmar Government: Pledge to fight slavery • Zero tolerance • Zara: Pledge to use slavery free cotton • Domestic worker rights in the Phillippines
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 33 THE FREEDOM FUND NORTHERN INDIA & NEPAL HOTSPOT HIGHLIGHTS
The Freedom Fund is the world’s first private donor fund dedicated to identifying and investing in the most effective front-line efforts to end slavery, and demonstrating the viability of scaling interventions. It aims to raise and deploy USD100 million in private capital. 87,905 lives impacted The Freedom Fund focuses on measurably reducing modern slavery and trafficking in those parts of the world where it is at its worst, targeting areas using a ‘hotspot’ funding model. It was founded by the Walk Free Foundation, Humanity United and Legatum Foundation in mid-2013, and officially announced by President Bill Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York on 26th September 2013. To date, the 14,874 Freedom Fund has worked on hotspot initiatives in northern at-risk children in school and southern India, south-eastern and central Nepal, Thailand, Ethiopia and Brazil.
“OUR VISION IS A WORLD FREE OF SLAVERY. OUR MISSION IS TO MOBILISE THE CAPITAL AND KNOWLEDGE NEEDED TO END SLAVERY.” 27 3,830 people liberated from slavery
$29 cost per person
34 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY THE GLOBAL FUND TO END SLAVERY
The Global Fund to End Slavery is a public-private The proportion of funding agreed by the Global When this challenging and exhausting procedure partnership that leverages government and Fund will be determined by four factors: is completed for at least 75% of the world’s private resources to fund and coordinate efforts non-slaves, expert analysis provides that this will to end slavery. The Global Fund was established 1. The extent of modern slavery within the trigger the permanent end of modern slavery with funding from Andrew Forrest to build on the country; worldwide. Each country’s collective budget research conducted through the Global Slavery 2. The ability and, in particular, the divided by the proportion which the Global Fund Index and strategies identified by the Freedom commitment of that country to execute has agreed to fund will then become the amount Fund. The objective of the Global Fund is to agree the work plan to permanently eradicate that the philanthropic and inter-government to measurement strategies and research activities slavery within its borders; world will need to fund to bring modern slavery with the top 20 countries in which modern 3. The country’s ability to fund the agreed to an end. This will become the global budget to slavery is at its worst. It aims to work on detailed portion of its slavery eradication end modern slavery. The Forrest family has also strategies and work plans in each country to end budget; committed to support this budget, and lead by way modern slavery. Once work plans are agreed and 4. The Global Fund’s ability to fund of example to encourage other philanthropists and fully assessed, and detailed budgets are provided, the agreed balance of that country’s governments to end the modern slavery scourge agreements are made between the sovereignty eradication of slavery work plan. which now rivals diseases such as AIDS at the and the Global Fund. The funding to bring modern height of its epidemic. slavery to a permanent end is negotiated with each country, with the Global Fund being prepared to fund up to 50% of the budget of that country’s work plan to eradicate modern slavery.
“OUR MISSION IS TO CATALYSE AND COORDINATE A GLOBAL STRATEGY INFORMED BY RIGOROUS MEASUREMENT, OWNED BY COUNTRIES, AND AT THE SCALE NEEDED TO PERMANENTLY DISMANTLE SLAVERY SYSTEMS.” 28
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 35 THE JOINT DECLARATION OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY
After intensive discourse among global their views and commitment to ending the image of God; God, who is love leaders in numerous countries over many modern slavery, based on the ideals and freedom, gives himself through months, the time had come to draw a of his or her own religious beliefs. interpersonal relations; therefore every line in the sand on modern slavery. Each articulated the shared thread that human being is a free person, destined every girl and boy, woman and man, to live for the good of others in equality On Tuesday 2nd December 2014, the has the same dignity and freedom of and brotherhood. Every person and all world’s leading faith figures gathered people, especially the poorest and most people are equal and their freedom together with representatives from vulnerable. and dignity must be recognised. public and private organisations, and Any discriminating relationship that other influential individuals, at the Pope Francis commenced proceedings, does not respect the fundamental Casina Pio IV in Vatican City. It was the stating the following: conviction that the ‘other is like me International Day for the Abolition of myself’ constitutes a crime, and very Slavery*, the 29th year that this annual “Ladies and gentlemen, I thank all often an abhorrent crime. That is why *The International Day for the Abolition event was celebrated on this day. the religious leaders gathered here we declare in the name of all people of Slavery, 2nd December, marks the for their commitment in favour of the and of everyone of our own Creed that date of the adoption, by the General The excitement inside the 16th Century survivors of human trafficking, and modern slavery – in the form of human Assembly of the United Nations Casina was palpable; history was about all those present for their intense trafficking, forced labour, prostitution Convention for the Suppression to be made. People entering the building participation in this act of brotherhood, or the trafficking of organs – is a crime of the Traffic in Persons and of the felt the solemn weight of significance of especially toward the most suffering ‘against humanity’. The victims of this Exploitation of the Prostitution of the occasion, and a hush descended on of our brothers and sisters. Inspired by are from every walk of life, but most are Others (resolution 317(IV) of 2nd the room as the faith luminaries entered. our confessions of faith, today we are found among the poorest and the most December 1949). The focus of this gathered for an historic initiative and vulnerable of our brothers and sisters. day is on eradicating contemporary Facilitated by British-Iranian journalist concrete action: to declare that we will We declare on behalf of those who forms of slavery, such as trafficking in and television host, Christiane Amanpour work together to eradicate the terrible are calling our communities to action, persons, sexual exploitation, the worst of CNN, the event was at once celebratory scourge of modern slavery in all its that every systematic deprivation of forms of child labour, forced marriage, and sombre, reflecting the joy and forms. The physical, economic, sexual individual freedom for the purpose of and the forced recruitment of children satisfaction of achieving the seemingly and psychological exploitation of men personal and commercial exploitation for use in armed conflict. unachievable in establishing a united and women, boys and girls, currently be rejected entirely and without faith front, and the seriousness of the holds tens of millions in inhumane and exception. common cause. One by one, leaders humiliating bondage. Every human made their way to the front to share being – man, woman, boy and girl – is “Despite the great efforts of many,
36 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY POPE FRANCIS
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, from Argentina, is the first Pope from the modern slavery continues to be an freedom to eradicate slavery from our Americas. He was elected Supreme Pontiff on 13th March 2013. As the atrocious scourge that is present planet. Jesuit Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Pope Francis was a highly respected throughout the world on a broad pastor who travelled throughout his continent on the metro and by bus. scale, even as tourism. This crime of “I ask the Lord to grant us today the face “My people are poor and I am one of them,” was his common refrain, ‘lèse-humanity’ masquerades behind to convert ourselves in the proximity one that explained his decision to live in a flat and cook his own meals. seemingly acceptable customs, but of every person, without exception, Born on 17th December 1936, he was the son of Italian immigrants in reality claims its victims through offering active and constant help to who graduated as a chemical technician before choosing the path of prostitution, human trafficking, forced those we encounter on our path – priesthood. Deeply committed to issues including poverty, peace and labour, slave labour, mutilation, the sale whether it be an elderly person who has social justice, he was the first Pope to call for the eradication of modern of organs, the consumption of drugs been abandoned by everyone, a worker forms of slavery in the globalised world. and child labour. It hides behind closed unjustly enslaved or unappreciated, doors, in particular places, in the streets, a refugee caught in the snares of the automobiles, factories, the countryside, underworld, a young man or woman in fishing boats and many other places. who walks the streets of the world, as And this happens both in towns and a victim of the sex trade, a man or a villages, in the reception centres of the women driven to prostitution by the wealthiest nations as well as in those deception of people have no fear of of the poorest. And the worst thing is God, a boy or a girl mutilated for their that this situation, unfortunately, grows organs – and who call to our conscience, more serious every day. echoing the voice of the Lord: I say to you whatever you do to the least of my “We call to action all people of faith, brothers, you do to me. leaders, governments, businesses, all men and women of good will, to “Dear friends, thank you for this give their strong support and join in meeting. Thank you for this transverse the action against modern slavery in commitment, which involves us all. We all its forms. Sustained by the ideals are all reflections of the image of God of our confessions of faith and by our and we are convinced that we cannot shared human values, we all can and tolerate that the image of the living God must raise the standard of spiritual be subject to abhorrent treatment. Many values, common effort and the vision of thanks!”
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 37 The 13 signatories to the Joint Declaration in 2014 were:
Following presentations by nine ANGLICAN: other leaders, the Joint Declaration Most Rev’d and Right Hon Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury was read out in English and Spanish by two former victims of BUDDHIST: slavery who are now committed to Venerable Bhikkhuni Thich Nu Chân Không, representing Zen Master Thích Nhat Hanh ending it – James Kofi Annan, from The Most Ven. Datuk K Sri Dhammaratana, Chief High Priest of Malaysia Ghana, and Claudia, from Mexico. The 13 signatories then proceeded CATHOLIC: to sign the Joint Declaration, Pope Francis committing themselves and their faiths to fighting for the dignity HINDU: and freedom from slavery of all Her Holiness Mata Amritanandamayi (‘Amma’) human beings. JEWISH: Rabbi Dr Abraham Skorka Rabbi Dr David Rosen
MUSLIM SUNNI: Dr Abbas Abdalla Abbas Soliman, Undersecretary of State of Al Azhar Alsharif, representing Mohamed Ahmed El-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar
MUSLIM SHIA: Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Taqi al-Modarresi Sheikh Naziyah Razzaq Jaafar, representing Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Basheer Hussain al Najafi
ORTHODOX: His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel Adamakis of France, Church of Constantinople, representing His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople
LAY-CHRISTIAN: Mr Andrew Forrest, Chairman Walk Free Foundation and Chair Global Freedom Network
38 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY THE JOINT DECLARATION OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY
“We, the undersigned, are gathered here today for a historic initiative to inspire spiritual and practical action by all global faiths and people of goodwill everywhere to eradicate modern slavery across the world by 2020 and for all time.
In the eyes of God*, each human being is a free person, whether girl, boy, woman or man, and is destined to exist for the good of all in equality and fraternity. Modern slavery, in terms of human trafficking, forced labour and prostitution, organ trafficking, and any relationship that fails to respect the fundamental conviction that all people are equal and have the same freedom and dignity, is a crime against humanity.
We pledge ourselves here today to do all in our power, within our faith communities and beyond, to work together for the freedom of all those who are enslaved and trafficked so that their future may be restored. Today we have the opportunity, awareness, wisdom, innovation and technology to achieve this human and moral imperative.”
*The Grand Imam of Al Azhar uses the word ‘religions’.
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 39 NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
The 2nd December event generated Examples of media coverage and guru and the orange-robed Buddhist thousands of media articles and commentary included the following chief high priest of Malaysia, among commentaries in newspapers and excerpts: others. online forums around the world, and was featured on numerous radio and THE FINANCIAL TIMES For a couple of hours, they found television stations. Social media outlets (3rd December 2014) something on which they could such as Twitter and Facebook were Religious leaders in rare union with agree: that slavery in its many forms “THE 2ND DECEMBER 2014 WAS buzzing with information and news. pledge to fight slavery. is an unmitigated evil, “a disgrace to A HISTORIC JOINT SPIRITUAL Through these platforms, the message God, a dishonour to humankind”, as AND PRACTICAL DECLARATION of ending slavery reached an estimated “The leaders of the world’s main the Orthodox ecumenical patriarch THAT AFFIRMED EVERYONE’S more than one billion people. Key religions set aside their differences and Bartholomew called it.” COMMITMENT TO A COMMON statistics included: in an unprecedented joint declaration on CAUSE. THE MEDIA PLAYED A Tuesday committed to the elimination of THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS CRITICAL ROLE IN SPREADING THE • More than 100 print articles, with modern slavery by 2020 … The accord (3rd December 2014) NEWS GLOBALLY, AND WE WERE total readership of more than 20 represents a rare joint initiative between Mata Amritanandamayi meets Pope 29 THANKFUL TO THEM.” million. Sunni and Shia Muslim leaders and the Francis in Vatican Ms Antonia Stampalija, CEO Global • More than 100 newswire reports first agreement on social issues between Freedom Network from over 30 global and regional the Anglican and Catholic churches since “Mata Amritanandamayi joined hands news agencies. the Reformation … Commenting on the with other world religious leaders in • 69 television/radio reports, with resolution, Melissa Rogers, US President Rome on Tuesday and declared her estimated viewership of 50 million Barack Obama’s main adviser on faith- commitment towards eradication of • More than 1000 websites reported related issues, said it was ‘a symbol of modern slavery by 2020. She was in the on the event. the power of collective moral vision’.” Vatican on an invitation by Pope Francis. • 19,000 mentions on social media Her visit coincided with the International • At its peak, #EndSlavery reached THE GUARDIAN UK Day for the Abolition of Slavery. Mata Pope Francis @Pontifex fourth spot in trending hashtags on (3rd December 2014) Amritanandamayi, who sat next to (2 Dec): Twitter worldwide. Faith leaders unite to combat modern the Pope in the front row, signed the Slaves no more. • More than 19,000 tweets containing slavery. Joint Declaration of Religious Leaders We are all brothers and the #EndSlavery hashtag between Against Modern Slavery. The declaration sisters. #EndSlavery 1st and 3rd December 2014. “It began with a 17-year-old Australian underlined that modern slavery, in terms schoolgirl’s horrified discovery. And of human trafficking, forced labour and yesterday it brought together in the prostitution, is a crime against humanity Vatican Jewish rabbis, turbaned Sunni and must be recognised as such by imams and Shia ayatollahs, Pope Francis, everyone and by all nations.” the Archbishop of Canterbury, a Hindu
40 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY Catholic News Svc @CatholicNewsSvc (2 Dec): #PopeFrancis: everyone is called to action, deplore everything depriving ppl of their God-given dignity #EndSlavery “TODAY’S EVENT OF THE GLOBAL FREEDOM NETWORK IS A PROFOUNDLY SIGNIFICANT MOMENT. WE HAVE JOINED TOGETHER FOR THE LIBERATION OF THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR WORLD. THE HUFFINGTON POST before and after the event at one of the (9th December 2014) Vatican’s beautifully decorated garden “AS WE MAKE THIS SOLEMN COMMITMENT TODAY, MY PRAYER IS THAT When the Pope Met the Grand pavilions. Recognising the significance WE SHALL BY GOD’S GRACE PLAY A KEY ROLE IN ENDING THE INHUMAN Ayatollah, History was Made. of hosting a Shia leader at the heart of PRACTICE OF MODERN SLAVERY – A PRACTICE THAT DISFIGURES OUR By Sayed Mahdi al-Modarresi, faith the Catholic church for the first time, WORLD AND OBSCURES THE IMAGE OF GOD IN MEN, WOMEN AND leader, lecturer and author. the Pope followed the Ayatollah into the CHILDREN. WE HAVE THE WILL, WE HAVE THE COMMON PURPOSE, IT CAN pavilion to shake his hands. “How are BE DONE; MAY GOD BLESS OUR ACTION TOGETHER.” 30 “Last week, with little fanfare and under you?” said Grand Ayatollah al-Modarresi, Most Rev’d and Right Hon Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury heavy security, an historic meeting took a moderate but powerful scholar with a place in Rome which marked a turning big following in the Shia world. “Fine, point in interfaith relations. Inside the thank you” replied the Holy Father, who 16th century Casina Pio IV villa, home to looked a little weary having just arrived the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy of Social from a trip to Turkey. “It is important Sciences, seven clerics representing over you would be fine” said al-Modarresi, five billion people overcame lingering surprising the Pontiff with his English. Sayed M. Modarresi @SayedModarresi (2Dec): traditions of suspicion to commit to the “Because if you are fine, many people For the first time in 2000 years. A Pope and a eradication of modern day slavery by around the world will be fine.” Most Shia Grand Ayatoallah meet. #EndSlavery the year 2020. The summit concluded notable is how both leaders showed with the signing of a declaration that humility and set aside protocol and condemns slavery as a crime against engaged with one another on a personal humanity. level.
The Global Freedom Network, the “Andrew Forrest, the Australian Mira Sorvino @MiraSorvin (2 Dec): organisation behind the initiative, was philanthropist businessman who is on I’ve signed my name won’t you join me? hoping to bring to light the abhorrent the Executive Board of the GFN and #EndSlavery @gfn2020 together we can! evil that affects nearly 36 million people, has financed its work told me he opted but the meeting went above and beyond to involve religious leaders because its intended purpose and literally made ‘politicians can enact laws banning history. For the first time since the certain practices, but only faith leaders establishment of the Catholic church, can change the deep-seated values which Lambeth Palace @lambethpalace (2 Dec): the Pope met face to face with a Grand influence people’s behaviours’.” World faith leaders speak out to #EndSlavery Ayatollah representing the Shia faith. Not only did the two become co-signatories of an important document, but they shook hands, and chatted informally
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 41 INSPIRING WORDS
on 2nd December 2014 included the others have fallen prey to a negative following extract: mind. Religious leaders should, without ulterior motives, formulate an action Faith leaders at the 2nd “Human trafficking is one of the worst plan of rehabilitation based on selfless December 2014 event were curses that plagues society, not only for love and spirituality, the essence of all invited to speak about their this century, but since the beginning of faiths. Remaining silent in the face of motivation for joining the time. The more we try to eradicate slavery unrighteousness is unrighteous. Joint Declaration, and their and forced labour, it seems to rebound values and beliefs about with double the strength. It is like an evil “In order to heal the mental and ending modern slavery. There ghost that keeps haunting us. emotional wounds inflicted upon the was widespread agreement victims of human trafficking, we need about the fundamental human “We have been granted the blessing of to care for them with selfless love. This platform of treating others as life through God’s compassion. This life will bring them into the light of a free you would wish to be treated, is to be spent performing good deeds as life, away from the darkness forcefully Her Holiness Mata Amritanandamayi and the pressing need for an offering to God. To destroy another imposed upon them in the past. We (‘Amma’) solidarity in ensuring the person’s life is a misuse of God’s gift. need to create a large task force of social current generation is the All living beings are instruments in the servants to carry out this sacred mission. last one to have to make a Best known as Amma (Mother), Mata Amritanandamayi is a spiritual leader hands of the Divine. The law of God’s Only religious and spiritual leaders can commitment such as the Joint court is righteousness, or Dharma. Let us bring together such a task force.” Declaration. and humanitarian from Kerala, India. Of the Hindu faith, Amma spends her all strive to respect and follow this law. Extracts from speeches follow days receiving the more than 34 million people who have come to unburden “The human mind has created many (listed in the order they were divisions in the form of religion, caste, given during the ceremony). their sorrows and share their problems. Amma is the Founder of the global language and national boundaries. The speeches are included in Let us try to create a bridge of all- full at the end of the book. humanitarian network, ‘Embracing the World’, that works to alleviate the encompassing pure love to break down burden of the poor by helping meet the these self-created walls. Any hardened basic needs of food, shelter, healthcare, heart will soften in love. Love can spread education and livelihood. She is also light through even the densest darkness. the Founder and Chancellor of Amrita Selfless love transforms the mind from University, a five-campus institution a demon that enslaves us into our own with a strong research focus. Her speech liberator. Those who traffic and enslave
42 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY Venerable Bhikkhuni Thích Nu Chân When we can recognise and embrace our Không own suffering, the energy of compassion will be born in our hearts, and we will Sister Chân Không is the first fully- know what to do and what not to do ordained monastic disciple of Zen Master to relieve the suffering of our beloved Thích Nhat Hanh, and the director of his ones, and of the world. We need to be humanitarian projects since the early able to embrace our own anger, fear, 1960s. Zen Master Thích Nhat Hanh is discrimination and despair; and we a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, scholar, need to look deeply in order to generate poet, artist, peace activist and author the clarity, courage and compassion we Rabbi Dr Abraham Skorka “In the biblical conception, enslaving an who was described by Martin Luther King need. individual hurts the image of God lying as ‘an apostle of peace and non-violence’. Rabbi Skorka was ordained a Rabbi at the inside every human – and only those Sister Chân Không has led Buddhist “When we have peace in ourselves, Latin-American Rabbinical Seminary in individuals who can fully and profoundly Peace Delegations in peace talks and and clarity in our mind, we will be 1973 and achieved a Ph.D. in Chemistry be free can dignify the human condition for emergency humanitarian efforts, able to have compassion even for the in his home town of Buenos Aires in 1979. themselves and in God’s eyes. established a monastery in France, and traffickers themselves. We will be able He became Emeritus Professor of Jewish is the Elder nun of the International to help wake them up, and touch the Law at the University of Salvador (Buenos “Aside from the view each particular creed Plum Village Sangha of more than 800 seed of compassion in their hearts. Our Aires) in 2002, Doctor Honoris Causa at the may have, which all together represent monastics. She was born in 1938 in Ben compassion can help them abandon Jewish Theological Seminary in 2011, at the the faith we all share in the course of our Tre in Southern Vietnam. Her speech their exploitation, and transform them Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina in human experience on Earth, I understand on 2nd December 2014 included the into our friends and allies of our cause.” 2012 and the University of the Sacred Heart that there is only one possible way we can following extract: in 2013. Since 1976 Rabbi Skorka has been view one another – as equals, having all the the Rabbi of the Benei Tikva Community, same rights and obligations to each other. “In our work of service, we must have and since 2010 (and from 1996-1998) This is what the Bible essentially says, and time to come back to ourselves, and has been the Rector of the Latin-American this is what will help us create a reality that generate peace in our body and mind. Rabbinical Seminary. He was born on 5th is more just, more balanced, and more sane July 1950 in Buenos Aires. His speech on that the one we are witnessing today. 2nd December 2014 included the following extract: “We see in our day many of our fellow men and women being subjected to “The people of Israel came to Mount Sinai degradation. We witness the many crimes through an experience of enslavement and and abuses committed by those who break liberation, which is still abided by all Jewish and enslave their brothers and sisters people as of this date, every day of their in multiple ways. This is why I join you lives. The heroic coming out of slavery from here today, as a Jew who raises his voice Egypt is one of the essential parts of the against this with all his strength, to ask Pentateuch, and one of its central messages that all forms of slavery be condemned in is the courage and profound meaning the harshest terms and with the harshest inherent in being a free person. penalties.”
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 43 “I send peace and blessings upon “Despite the ratification of the abolition the best of God’s creation (peace and of slavery by tolerant Islamic law and the blessings be upon him) who said ‘An laws of other Heavenly revealed faiths, Arab has no superiority over except by today we continue to battle slavery piety. Verily, the most honoured of you as it is still extant in some countries. Dr Mohamed Ahmed El-Tayeb in the sight of God is he who is the most Contemporary institutions of slavery righteous.’ include human trafficking, forced Dr Mohamed Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand labour, debt bondage, forced marriage, Imam of Al-Azhar, was appointed to “Slavery was one of the major problems child slavery, women oppression and his role in 2012. He holds a Ph.D. in that plagued pre-Islamic Arabia. It was depriving women of holding appropriate Islamic Philosophy from Paris Sorbonne so pervasive that a person could lose positions, discrimination on the basis of University and has been director of his freedom and be enslaved by his gender, race or belief and forced migrant Al-Azhar University since 2003. Dr creditor simply by failing to settle his labour. All of these and other forms of El-Tayeb served as the Grand Mufti of debt, turning from the light of freedom slavery are deemed reprehensible in Egypt in 2002-2003. He took a lead role to the darkness of execrable slavery. Islamic law, and religious and human in condemning the kidnappings and At no point did Islam condone slavery rights institutions, authorities and enslavement of girls by Boko Haram in between the people whom it deems as organisations must all work to abolish 2014, leading the Islamic world with his being equal from the same father, Adam, them and push countries to enact statement the abductions ‘completely and the same mother, Eve. The Prophet laws and legislations that deter the contradict Islam and its principles of (peace and blessings be upon him) said: deprivation of freedoms.” tolerance.’ Dr El-Tayeb was represented ‘All people are from Adam and Adam was at the 2nd December 2014 event by created from dust. Let the people cease Dr Abbas Abdalla Abbas Solian, the to boast about their ancestors or they Undersecretary of State of Al Azhar will be of less account with God than the Alsharif, whose speech included the beetle (which rolls dung with its nose). following extract:
44 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 2nd December 2014 (provided via video) “Second, how ironic and, moreover, included the following extract: how tragic that once again the most profoundly and negatively affected are “We would like to assure you that the vulnerable and poor of our world! we stand with you in solidarity and It is foolish and arrogant for people commitment to eradicate modern with power and wealth to imagine that expressions of slavery, which are they can seize possession or acquire His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch a disgrace to God, a dishonour to ownership of other people’s labour for Bartholomew humankind, and a degradation of all its purposes of greed and profit. innocent victims fashioned in the image His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch and likeness of our heavenly Creator. “Third, how ironic and, moreover, how Bartholomew has served in his role as There are three observations that we tragic that – while we strive to establish Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome would like to bring to your attention thresholds and deadlines to protect the since 1991. He is the 270th Archbishop about the moral imperative to abolish natural environment as God’s gift to the of the 2,000-year-old Church, and his human trafficking and forced labour. world – we nevertheless remain unaware vision is to promote reconciliation and indifferent to the oppressive abuse among Christian churches, advance “First, how ironic and, moreover, how of human beings bearing the very seal of human rights, religious tolerance, tragic that in the 21st century we are divine grace.” international peace and environmental still responding to the moral challenge protection. The Ecumenical Patriarch of slavery! Indeed, the slavery that we has organised conferences centred witness and confront is more inhumane on religious tolerance and published and more malevolent than similar influential declarations against phenomena in the early Christian extremism, violence and war. In 1997 centuries or even in more recent he was awarded the Gold Medal of the centuries. United States Congress. His speech on
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 45 Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Taqi us towards connecting with Him to rid al-Modarresi ourselves of aberration, darkness and delusion. Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Taqi al- Modarresi is considered the leader of the “No one must take others as slaves, nor Most Rev’d and Right Hon Justin publicly to the battle to end modern Islamic Action Organisation in Iraq. He to transgress on their rights, be it in part Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury slavery. The challenge is acute and has established religious seminaries in of in whole, big or small. Humankind is growing, facilitated by a globalised many countries, the most distinguished the creation of God, and so is every living The Most Rev’d and Right Hon Justin economy that is too easily without moral being the Al-Qaem circle, with students being. Welby was announced as the 105th or conscience. We gather to affirm a deep from more than 35 countries carrying out Archbishop of the See of Canterbury shared commitment for the liberation of missionary duties. The Grand Ayatollah “Distinguished convenors; we must in late 2012, and was enthroned at those humiliated, abused and enslaved was born in the holy city of Karbala, Iraq, work in unison to salvage humans from Canterbury Cathedral in London on by their fellow human beings. It is a where he was the pupil of great scholars the darkness of bondage, from poverty 21st March 2013. Archbishop Welby challenge which must be undertaken in and received his degree in Islamic and disease, from the proliferation studied history and law at Eton College global partnership with others. jurisprudence, the highest certificate in of weapons of mass destruction, and and Trinity College, Cambridge and the religious seminaries, at the age of from the egregious inequality among then worked as an executive in the oil “The evils we seek to combat will not 20. His speech on 2nd December 2014 the classes of human society and the industry. He left the industry in 1989 yield without struggle. The complex included the following extract: destruction of the environment, precisely after sensing a call from God, and global environment is why we need the because religion is linked to the Lord undertook a theology degree at St John’s strongest possible collaboration between “We, the leaders of the world’s who is dominant over all things. College, Durham. Archbishop Welby national governments everywhere, with religions and scholars of the faiths, was ordained a deacon in 1992, made a the business sector, police forces, civil carry a tremendous burden and a great “I urge you in this historic summit to Canon of Coventry Cathedral in 2002 and society, faith communities and all those responsibility: to deliver to humankind open up to this ocean of morality, one Dean of Liverpool in 2007. He was born who long to see all humanity live in the injunction that they must revert without an end to its depth nor a limit to in 1956 in London. His speech on 2nd freedom. There are already close and back to their conscience and safeguard its breadth.” December 2014 included the following trusting relationships between us as faith their dignity, for doing so will allow extract: leaders. Our task now is to make those us to uproot all the causes of evil and relationships work effectively for the corruption. We must also remind them of “At a time when faiths are seen wrongly well-being of all people. God’s words and revelations that guide as a cause of conflict it is a sign of real hope that today global faith leaders “The Anglican Communion has given a have together committed themselves high priority to this task, and I want to 46 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY Mr Andrew Forrest, Chairman Walk “We know that it is the beliefs and values Free Foundation and Chair Global that reside in the hearts of mankind Freedom Network that drive evil or good intentions and behaviour. Yet it is not until now, with affirm my own personal commitment Mr Forrest is an international this show of ethical responsibility to it. But what can we do? We can make philanthropist and business leader who by faith leaders, political will by sure that every worshipping community, founded the world’s fourth largest iron government leaders, conscientious of every faith, knows about modern ore exporter, Fortescue Metals Group, objection to slavery by business leaders, slavery and is ready to work to prevent of which he is Chairman. He is the and with the unparalleled ease of global and put an end to these abuses. Chairman of the Walk Free Foundation communications, that we have this great and a Director of the Global Freedom initiative and these institutions to truly “We can look to our own actions and Network, and is involved in a broad end slavery. choices as consumers and users of range of philanthropic and business financial services whose managers can ventures throughout the world. He was “This is the day on which we have drawn put great pressure on companies in born in Australia in 1961. Mr Forrest’s the line in the sand against evil, the day which they invest. We can make sure speech on 2nd December 2014 included on which we declare that we will end that those who have been enslaved the following extract: slavery and the day on which the peace, and trafficked are supported, respected love and respect among the world’s and welcomed into the community. “Faith leaders, you have created history. great religions will be our most powerful We can continue to press governments There has never been such a journey weapons against the evil of slavery.” to implement more effective laws to as yours trodden before. This is an root out these evils. We can work with unprecedented demonstration of faith the business sector across the globe leaders of the world coming together to ensure robust systems for slave-free to draw a line in the sand to end the supply chains. And we can reinforce scourge of slavery. To utilise new and the ties of friendship and trust among modern institutions upon which a world ourselves, and with all those who profess without slavery may shortly stand. faith and those who do not, who share our commitment to end slavery.”
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 47 IN SUPPORT OF THE JOINT DECLARATION:
In addition to the formal speeches given on 2nd December 2014, global leaders and influencers gave their written and verbal support. Letters were provided by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, and Rabbi Dr David Rosen of the Heilbrunn Institute:
decent work for a living wage – generate “I call for a renewed commitment to conditions in which trafficking can thrive. cooperate in the international fight against human trafficking, and I urge “No society is immune. Just last week, increased financing for the Trust Fund on the UN 2014 Global Report on Trafficking Contemporary Forms of Slavery, the Trust in Persons identified at least 152 Fund for the Victims of Human Trafficking countries of origin and 124 countries and its Blue Heart campaign. These The Secretary-General of the United of destination. One in three trafficking funds give victims a place where they can Nations, Ban Ki-moon victims is just a child. Disturbingly, this be heard – knowing that their experience represents a five per cent rise compared can guide our work to prevent further to the findings of the 2010 report. And trafficking. The funds also assist victims Ban Ki-moon is eighth Secretary-General two out of every three trafficked children to cast off past experiences, seek redress of the United Nations, after succeeding are girls. Overall, females account for 70 for what they have suffered, and find new Kofi Annan in 2007. Born in 1944, Ban per cent of trafficking victims. hope and opportunity. was a career diplomat in South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the “We must join forces to stop this crime, “Let us come together to begin a United Nations before accepting his and provide protection and redress to its powerful dialogue against these crimes present role. He was Foreign Minister of survivors. Respect for human rights is across faiths, across communities South Korea from 2004 to 2006. vital. States must implement – not just and across the world based on our ratify – all human rights conventions, commitment to help victims and “Modern day slavery and trafficking are including those focused on labour survivors of slavery and human serious violations of human dignity and rights. I call on all States that have not trafficking to reclaim their dignity, their rights. These crimes often affect people done so to ratify and implement the rights and their freedom.” who are already vulnerable because UN Convention against Transnational of discrimination, conflict or economic Organized Crime and its protocol on and social disempowerment. Violations human trafficking. We need clear- of human rights – including violence sighted national strategies, legislation against women, gender stereotypes, and institutional frameworks grounded discrimination, exclusion and failure in human rights. to respect labour standards regarding
48 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY Rabbi Dr David Rosen, KSG, CBE, Director of International Interreligious Affairs and Director of the Heilbrunn Institute for International Interreligious Understanding
Rabbi David Rosen is the American Jewish Committee’s Jerusalem-based International Director of Interreligious Affairs and directs the AJC’s Heilbrunn Institute for International Interreligious Understanding. He is the honorary advisor on interfaith relations to the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, an International President of Religions for Peace, an Honorary President of the International Council of Christians and Jews, and the Jewish representative on the Board of Directors of the King Abdullah International Centre for Interreligious Dialogue. In 2005 the Pope made Rabbi Rosen a Knight Commander of the Order of St Gregory the Great, in recognition of his contribution to Jewish-Catholic reconciliation, and in 2010 he was made a Commander of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II.
“Jewish tradition understands the affirmation in the Book of Genesis that the human person is created in the Divine Image, to not only refer to the human being’s unique human intellectual and spiritual capacities, but also that every human being has the sacred right to life, dignity and freedom.
“Moreover as a modern Orthodox Jewish scholar confirms, “the recognition of the right to freedom is not limited to personal liberty. It ensures all against any form of slavery and subjugation” (Samuel Belkin, “In His Image” p. 112).
“Furthermore, the ancient Jewish sages declare that any act of disrespect towards another person, let alone bloodshed or the denial of freedom and dignity, is an act of disrespect to God Himself, for “in the image of God He made (the human person)” (Sifra 4:12).
“The Global Freedom Network (GFN) is therefore precisely the struggle to ensure the affirmation of the Divine Image in all people – in particular those whose dignity and freedom are denied by enslavement and subjugation that desecrate the Divine Name.
“It is therefore a not only a privilege for me, but a religious duty to support the GFN’s sacred work. It was a special joy to participate in the unique gathering hosted by Pope Francis in the Vatican last December, bringing together leaders and representatives from the five world religious traditions to pledge common commitment to the task of combating the horrors of contemporary enslavement and human trafficking. The event served as a testimony of the fundamental human values that the world’s great religions share and of the obligation of interreligious cooperation to work together to deliver human dignity from those who deny it; to “turn (our world) from evil and do goodness, seek peace and pursue it “(Psalm 34:15).”
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 49 “We are still witnessing all the barbaric and horrifying acts of humans which should have been abandoned a long time ago. Humans have certainly The Most Ven. Datuk K Sri advanced in technology but not Dhammaratana, Chief High Priest of spiritually. We would have thought that Malaysia given the marvel of the widespread education of globalisation and the great Venerable Dhammaratana is best known establishments of organisations that for establishing the Ti-Ratana Welfare come forth to protect human rights – Society, and has led many charities there will be more assurance for all to in Indonesia, China and Thailand. The live a decent life. It is so torturous to Chief was born and studied in Sri Lanka those victims to even think if they will before being co-opted to assist the late be able to live through the night; life is Ven. Dr K Dhammananda Nayaka Maha lived in fear and constant worry for them. Thera, former Chief High Priest of the Buddhist Maha Vihara in Malaysia. Since “Religious leaders play an important role his appointment as Chief High Priest of to work together with the government Malaysia, he has worked in the Buddhist parties to put a stop to these negative and non-Buddhist communities in activities. I believe that together, we Malaysia and other parts of the world. must be united with the effort to increase The King of Malaysia appointed him as investigations and prosecutions of labour ‘Panglima Jasa Negara’, entitling him trafficking offences and slavery. We must to be addressed as ‘Datuk’, a title that is ensure that there are equal human rights only conferred on those who have shown for all and that everyone can live the life meritorious service to the country. that they deserve.”
50 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY Witnesses to the Joint Declaration included a range of influential people from various sectors and countries. Their affirmations of personal commitment included:
Mr Jeffrey Sachs “Saying that crime or poverty will always lift themselves out of extreme poverty. optimism. There are 36 million slaves in be with us isn’t correct. We can never put So there are many fronts on which this the world, there is profit of at least 190 Jeffrey David Sachs is an American the guard down completely and say that battle will be fought. billion, and right now governments and economist and Director of The Earth we have solved the problem of slavery NGOs spend in the millions. Billions Institute at Columbia University. He or human trafficking or mass pollution “I’m optimistic, because I know slavery versus millions, it is not a fair fight. So is special adviser to United Nations or extreme poverty once and for all, but is a horrible anachronism and it has no businesses have to play a role. I think Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on the I do believe these are a matter of human place here in the 21st century. The same their role is two-pronged: it’s cleaning up Millennium Development Goals, having choice and human will. is true with extreme poverty. This is a their supply chains and being a partner, held the same position under former Human values are constantly in need scourge that has been with humanity on the ground, with governments to Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Sachs of being addressed, regenerated and seemingly forever, but it does not mean gain compliance. I run a business that became known for his role as an adviser strengthened. Every generation needs it is a permanent one. It is one we can operates in 150 countries, and there to Eastern European and developing to recommit to them again and again. and must solve.” are wide variations in corruption, we national governments during the So in this sense, we are not saying there have to deal with that, and that requires transition from communism to a market is a magic cure that is going to end Dr Jean Baderschneider the world as a whole to participate; system during periods of economic crisis. this scourge once and for all, but what it requires religions, it requires faith- religious leaders, business leaders, Dr Jean Baderschneider is the inaugural based communities, it requires NGOs, it “This scourge of human trafficking labour experts and economic experts are Chief Executive Officer of the Global requires civil society to really take action, and modern slavery affects the whole saying is that we can address this crisis, Fund to End Slavery. In 2013 she retired and consumers, businesses ... At some world economy. It’s fundamentally we can bring it under control and then from ExxonMobil, where she was Vice point, we need to bring it all together against everything we stand for in keep it under control. But it is going President, Global Procurement. around those corrupting complicit sustainable development, which is for to take a lot of effort and a lot of focus. governments.” a just, inclusive and environmentally People end up in this kind of situation “Whenever we talk about the sustainable society. Religious leaders out of various kinds of despair – parents involvement of governments and Mr Nick Grono coming together is a huge call to action who are so poor they can’t look after businesses, we always talk about the and I think it will find its place in the their kids, people who have no economic challenges and what it is going to take. Nick Grono is the inaugural Chief Sustainable Development Goals that will alternative or who are in a kind of debt But today, it was all about hope. We Executive Officer of the Freedom Fund. be adopted by the world in 2015. It is a bondage. There are many roots into had all these religious leaders here, He was previously the inaugural Chief moral call, reminding us that we need this. From a moral point of view, it starts representing 90 per cent of the world, Executive Officer of the Walk Free a worldwide economy that functions with the lack of the dignity and ability and the message today was hope and a Foundation. according to basic human values. This is necessary to meet basic needs. But what vision of a world free from slavery. the central principle; it’s core to addressing we need to do is not only clamp down “With the leadership and the the issues of trafficking and slavery, and on the corruption and the lawlessness, “There are huge challenges in front of commitment of faith leaders we can more generally it’s core to the whole hope but also address the needs of extremely us, but I am optimistic, and today has have a huge measurable impact on for truly sustainable development. poor people in the world and help them given us the framework for that kind of slavery by 2020 – that should be our
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 51 goal and it’s an eminently achievable by 2020 is very ambitious. But if we moment indeed. So it’s a matter of great Ms Mira Sorvino one. The involvement of the faith leaders all put our heads together, if we all moral responsibility, as was affirmed is hugely important because slavery put our political will together, it’s not by all the religious leaders of the world Mira Sorvino is an American actress is illegal everywhere, yet 36 million completely out of reach. I am very happy in this very important day for the fight who has been affiliated with Amnesty people are enslaved, so what we have to to see this event happening today, it’s against slavery. Twenty years ago, very International since 2004. In 2006, do is to transform attitudes so that the an unprecedented moment in history. few people were talking about the reality she was honoured with Amnesty prohibition of slavery is truly enforced. It also shows that all of us, as most of of modern day slavery. Recently, it has International’s Artist of Conscience And I believe the leadership of the faiths the religious leaders have said, are sons been confirmed this is a massive plague Award, given to those who have will be key to achieving that. of Abraham, sons of Adam and Eve. So upon the world, and now we have this displayed longstanding philanthropic there is a way, if there is a political and unity of voices that have come together and humanist efforts. She was a United “The cause of slavery is not just poverty, spiritual will, that we can come together, to say it still exists, it’s a moral outrage Nations Goodwill Ambassador to Combat it’s vulnerability, it’s marginalisation, put our small differences aside and fight and it is therefore incumbent upon us all Human Trafficking from 2009 to 2012 it’s discrimination on a basis of caste, for good causes. to do our part in fighting it. and has lobbied US Congress to abolish religion or ethnicity that makes people human trafficking in Darfur. vulnerable and therefore easier to “To me, it’s not a matter of who takes the “The overwhelming reason why there is exploit. So we do have to address lead in this fight - all of us have to be on still so much slavery in the world today, “The idea that all of these major leaders poverty, but it’s a much broader issue the front line. Obviously the religious is simply because the laws against of world faiths could come together, than just poverty alone. It’s about leaders have a major opportunity by slavery are not being enforced. The setting aside any differences between attitudes of enforcing the law against talking to their congregations and primary reason there are so many slaves them and celebrate the dignity and slavery. That’s why this Declaration addressing their audience – as one of the in the world today is simply impunity. I honour of each human soul on the planet is so critically important – because it speakers said, that will help us reach 90 am optimistic that this fight will be won. and work towards eradicating modern will help change attitudes, and it will perncent. But that doesn’t take away, or This is the ugliest but most preventable slavery, makes this an unprecedented make sure slavery is regarded as utterly shouldn’t take away, the importance of man-made disaster on the globe today, day in human history. Religious groups unacceptable. political leaders, around the globe, to do and we can fight this successfully. We don’t often come together on any subject their part as well.” have seen this over and over again in our and now all major faiths are coming “It is not something that will end in a projects around the world. We’ve seen together against slavery, which has been couple of years, but this is a huge step Mr Gary Haugen it’s actually a winnable fight because with us for all time, stating ‘we will not forward in the fight against slavery, and these countries have already expressed – tolerate it any more and we are going it will make a very big difference.” Gary is the President and Chief Executive in their laws – the moral outrage against to eradicate it.’ And they are going to Officer of International Justice Mission, slavery, they have already said this is mobilise billions of faithfuls around the Mr Gilbert Houngbo an international human rights agency wrong under their own moral code. world to take action. This is exactly the that rescues victims of violence, sexual sort of moral and spiritual wake-up call Gilbert Houngbo is the Deputy Director exploitation, slavery and oppression “Corruption is certainly a significant we all need so we can really put our teeth General for Field Operations and worldwide. problem, but I believe we can work into the paper tigers of the laws that Partnerships at the International Labour towards those laws finally being have been passed. Organization, a position he has held “It’s a matter of a crime against enforced.” since 2013. Previously, he was the Prime humanity, as Pope Francis has said. “We have to stand together and say it is Minister of Togo. Realising there are more people intolerable in our time that one person enslaved today that in any other time should own another, should use another, “The goal of eradicating modern slavery in human history makes this a horrific should exploit another, that children
52 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY should suffer horrendous fates and that any human being should be enslaved by another person. To see Claudia today, so strong, and so moving, reading the Joint Declaration, was such a beautiful moment for me. I’m so proud of her: she is the example of someone who has come out of slavery and fully taken advantage of this beautiful life that her Creator meant her to live. She is now an advocate for millions of people, she’s happy, she’s married, she’s thriving.
“There are so many things the faith- based communities can do with their own resources, as well as exerting a great deal of pressure on government Dr Jean Baderschneider Mr Nick Grono bodies to actually do the work they Mr Jeffrey Sachs are supposed to do now with the laws that have been created and with the Palermo Protocol that most countries are signatory to on human trafficking. This is truly an incredible moment.”
Mr Gilbert Houngbo Mr Gary Haugen Ms Mira Sorvino
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 53 THE FUTURE
The Global Freedom Network will continue to build on the momentum achieved through the Joint Declaration, and intends to engage other world faiths that share the aspiration for a world without modern slavery.
In addition, sovereign leaders and global influencers from the political and business communities, and civil society, will be invited to become signatories to the Joint Declaration and work collaboratively across sectors, borders, faiths and political persuasions.
It is anticipated that the commitment and ceremony of the 2nd December 2014 milestone event in Vatican will be replicated in various ways at events throughout the world.
The Global Freedom Network recognises the enormity of the challenges that lie ahead, but sees the strength that already exists in the commitments given by the major faith leaders to achieve a common goal.
54 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY “EMPATHY, LOVE, RESPECT AND EQUALITY ARE THE COMMON DENOMINATORS WHICH BRING US ALL TOGETHER …” 31 Mohammad Taqi Al-Modarresi
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 55 FULL SPEECH TRANSCRIPTS
The full speeches of all leaders who spoke at Casina Pio IV, the Vatican, at the signing of the Joint Declaration of Religious Leaders Against Modern Slavery on 2nd December 2014, are provided.
56 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY Address of His discriminating relationship that does not of organs, the consumption of drugs the snares of the underworld, a young Holiness Pope respect the fundamental conviction that and child labour. It hides behind closed man or woman who walks the streets of Francis the “other is like me myself” constitutes doors, in particular places, in the streets, the world, as a victim of the sex trade, a a crime, and very often an abhorrent automobiles, factories, the countryside, man or a woman driven to prostitution Ladies and Gentlemen, crime. in fishing boats and many other places. by the deception of people who have And this happens both in towns and no fear of God, a boy or a girl mutilated I thank all the religious That is why we declare in the name of villages, in the reception centres of the for their organs — and who call to our leaders gathered here for their all people and of everyone of our own wealthiest nations as well as in those of conscience, echoing the voice of the commitment in favour of the survivors of Creed that modern slavery — in the form the poorest. And the worst thing is that Lord: I say to you whatever you do to the human trafficking, and all those present of human trafficking, forced labour, this situation, unfortunately, grows more least of my brothers, you do to me. for their intense participation in this prostitution or the trafficking of organs — serious every day. act of brotherhood, especially toward is a crime “against humanity”. The victims Dear friends, thank you for this the most suffering of our brothers and of this are from every walk of life, but We call to action all people of faith, meeting. Thank you for this transverse sisters. Inspired by our confessions most are found among the poorest and leaders, governments, businesses, all commitment, which involves us all. of faith, today we are gathered for an the most vulnerable of our brothers and men and women of good will, to give We are all reflections of the image of historic initiative and concrete action: sisters. their strong support and join in the God and we are convinced that we cannot to declare that we will work together to action against modern slavery in all its tolerate that the image of the living God eradicate the terrible scourge of modern We declare on behalf of those who forms. be subject to abhorrent treatment. slavery in all its forms. are calling our communities to action, that every systematic deprivation of Sustained by the ideals of our Many thanks! The physical, economic, sexual and individual freedom for the purpose of confessions of faith and by our shared psychological exploitation of men personal and commercial exploitation be human values, we all can and must raise and women, boys and girls, currently rejected entirely and without exception. the standard of spiritual values, common holds tens of millions in inhumane and effort and the vision of freedom to humiliating bondage. Every human Despite the great efforts of many, eradicate slavery from our planet. being — man, woman, boy and girl — is modern slavery continues to be an the image of God; God, who is love atrocious scourge that is present I ask the Lord to grant us today the grace and freedom, gives himself through throughout the world on a broad to convert ourselves in the proximity of interpersonal relations; therefore every scale, even as tourism. This crime of every person, without exception, offering human being is a free person, destined “lèse-humanity” masquerades behind active and constant help to those we to live for the good of others in equality seemingly acceptable customs, but encounter on our path — whether it be an and brotherhood. Every person and all in reality claims its victims through elderly person who has been abandoned people are equal and their freedom prostitution, human trafficking, forced by everyone, a worker unjustly enslaved and dignity must be recognised. Any labour, slave labour, mutilation, the sale or unappreciated, a refugee caught in
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 57 Address of Mohamed and the Sunnah of His noble Prophet. remedy this problem. It exhorted slave of slavery by tolerant Islamic law and the Ahmed El-Tayeb, The words of our master Umar Ibn owners to treat their slaves well and not laws of other Heavenly revealed faiths, Grand Imam of Al-Khattab to Amr Ibn Al Aas (God Bless burden them beyond their capacity. It today we continue to battle slavery Al-Azhar Them), dissatisfied with the son of Al Aas then narrowed the sources of slavery as it is still extant in some countries. who had beaten a man from the Copts, and deemed that the only method for Contemporary institutions of slavery In the name of God, allowing the Copt man to punish the gaining captives is during warfare. Not include human trafficking, forced the Most Gracious, son: “Since when have you enslaved the every prisoner can be taken as a slave. labour, debt bondage, forced marriage, the Most Merciful, people when their mothers have borne It is an option of four: with the option child slavery, women oppression them free” ring a familiar bell with all of keeping prisoner as a slave being the and depriving women from holding All praise is due to God people. least preferable one. Prisoners of war appropriate positions, discrimination Who created the people, males and could be freed, and Islam further made on the basis of gender, race or belief, females, made them into nations and Slavery was one of the major problems the emancipation of slaves as expiation and forced migrant labour. All of these tribes and set the balance to judge who that plagued pre-Islamic Arabia. It was for involuntary killing, for breaking the and other forms of slavery are deemed is most righteous by virtue of piety so pervasive that a person could lose his fast in Ramadan and for equating wife reprehensible in Islamic law and regardless of color, ethnicity, or social freedom and be enslaved by his creditor with mother. Islam also considered the religious and human rights institutions, status. God the Almighty says: “O man simply by failing to settle his debt, emancipation of slaves as one of the authorities and organisations must all kind! We have created you from a male turning from the light of freedom to the greatest acts of worship which please work to abolish them and push countries and a female, and made you into nations darkness of execrable slavery. God. to enact laws and legislations that deter and tribes that you may know one the deprivation of freedoms. To achieve another. And God has full knowledge At no point did Islam condone slavery Through this wise policy pursued by this goal, Al Azhar Al Sharif is working and is well acquainted [with all things].” between the people whom it deems as Islam to limit the sources of slavery and in collaboration with other concerned Surat Al-Hujurat (Verse 13). being equal from the same father, Adam, expand the means of emancipation, institutions, and therefore Grand Imam and the same mother, Eve. The Prophet the practice of slavery came to end of Muslims Sheikh Al Azhar (May Allah I send peace and blessings upon the best (peace and blessings be upon him) said: only a short while after the advent of Protect Him) has delegated me. I join of God’s creation (peace and blessings “All people are from Adam and Adam was Islam. It is not right what is claimed hands with you and convey Grand be upon him) who said: “An Arab has no created from dust. Let the people cease by those researchers who lack deep Imam’s best wishes to you in your efforts, superiority over except by piety. Verily, to boast about their ancestors or they understanding of Islamic Sharia that as Al Azhar Al Sharif is working to serve the most honoured of you in the sight will be of less account with God than the Islam has paved the way for sustainable all humanity. of God is he who is the most righteous.” beetle [which rolls dung with its nose].” slavery as it instructed treating slaves Our Trustworthy Prophet was saying In spite of Islam’s position, it was not with kindness and care, which those Thank you. about Salman Al Farsi, who lived the conducive to the affairs of the people researchers considered as a legitimacy darkness of slavery: “Salman is one of to abolish the institution of slavery of slavery. The truth is that Islam took the People of the House”, and introduced altogether. The reason for this was this approach as a temporary solution to (Presented by Dr. Abbas him many times before Notables of because it constituted a source of an intractable problem, until Islam was Shuman, Quraish. The Prophet’s Companions and wealth which would have been difficult able, later, to find a radical solution to Deputy of Al-Azhar) those who came after them (may God for the people to abandon at once, eradicate slavery. be pleased with all of them) followed as money is dear to the soul. Islam the teachings contained in God’s Book therefore took a gradual approach to Despite the ratification of the abolition
58 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY Address of The has made humanity in the divine image. who long to see all humanity live in freedom. slave-free supply chains. And we can Most Revd and No-one should be enslaved or denied the There are already close and trusting reinforce the ties of friendship and trust Right Hon Justin dignity of sharing actively and freely in relationships between us as faith among ourselves, and with all those who Welby, Archbishop of the common life in which liberty is a part leaders. Our task now is to make those profess faith and those who do not, who Canterbury of creation. relationships work effectively for the share our commitment to end slavery. well-being of all people. The Anglican At a time when faiths are The second conviction goes even further. Communion has given a high priority Today’s event of the Global Freedom seen wrongly as a cause of conflict, it Christians believe that the divine life was to this task, and I want to affirm my own Network is a profoundly significant is a sign of real hope that today global lived fully and uniquely in the flesh and personal commitment to it. moment. We have joined together for the faith leaders have together committed blood of a human being, Jesus Christ, liberation of the most vulnerable in our themselves publicly to the battle to end born through the willing co-operation of But what can we do? We can make sure world. We owe thanks to Bishop Sánchez modern slavery. We live in a world where his mother Mary. And so we are bound that every worshipping community, Sorondo, to Archbishop Sir David Moxon, over 30 million people are oppressed to see every human being as part of the of every faith, knows about modern and above all Andrew Forrest, Director of in some form of slavery – trafficking, divine plan. This means that no human slavery and is ready to work to prevent the Global Freedom Network. forced labour and prostitution, the body can, in any circumstance, be simply and put an end to these abuses. We trade in human organs and many more an object to be traded, trafficked or can look to our own actions and choices As we make this solemn commitment outrages. The suffering is unimaginable. enslaved. In Christ we find our liberation as consumers and users of financial today, my prayer is that we shall by The challenge is acute and growing, restored. God treated humanity with services whose managers can put great God’s grace play a key role in ending the facilitated by a globalised economy that such loving respect by choosing to take pressure on companies in which they inhuman practice of modern slavery – a is too easily without moral or conscience. human form among us – so we must invest. We can make sure that those who practice that disfigures our world and share that love and respect for all human have been enslaved and trafficked are obscures the image of God in men, We gather to affirm a deep shared beings. supported, respected and welcomed women and children. We have the will, commitment for the liberation of those into community. We can continue to we have the common purpose, it can be humiliated, abused and enslaved The evils we seek to combat will not press governments to implement more done; may God bless our action together. by their fellow-human beings. It is a yield without struggle. The complex effective laws to root out these evils. challenge which must be undertaken in global environment is why we need the In the United Kingdom the Modern global partnership with others. strongest possible collaboration between Slavery Bill is currently going through national governments everywhere, with Parliament and is a very good model. We For Christians, commitment grows out of the business sector, police forces, civil can work with the business sector across two fundamental convictions. First, God society, faith communities and all those the globe to ensure robust systems for
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 59 Address of Mr Reformation many hundreds of years ago. in our world to join together in a end slavery. Andrew Forrest, I salute the representatives of common love of humanity. I am thankful Chairman Walk Free Christianity and Islam, be you Sunni or that our mission is so ably represented The Pope has requested that by the year Foundation and Shia, Orthodox, Anglican, Catholic, sons and championed by Pope Francis, to 2020 slavery will be ended. Chair Global Freedom and daughters of Abraham, and all of the end the suffering of the poorest and Network other faiths. most unrepresented in our world, those We are all also aware ladies and who suffer slavery in forced labour, gentleman, that it is the dimensions Ladies and Gentlemen, we are My heart, I must admit now, drifts in an sexual exploitation and other forms of of power familiar to us – political and witnessing history here today with these ocean of gratitude that also my Hindu, unconscionable removal of freedom. hard power, soft power, diplomacy, brave leaders from all faiths from around my Buddhist, Hebrew, Muslim and propaganda, economic and commercial the world. Let us collectively give them a Christian brothers and sisters have made On this day, on this glorious day, when power, intelligence, counter intelligence very big hand. this historical journey of forgiveness and we all celebrate the unprecedented and the like – that will be used by all love and for each other. In each faith demonstration of global love and peace these leaders. David Young tells us Faith leaders, you have created history. leader’s obedience of their ancient and for and between faith leaders of the that it is the third dimension of power There has never been such a journey as holy texts, representing faithfully their world, we ask each of you leaders who that is strongest of them all and the yours trodden before. prophets of all time who taught the have spoken here today in this room, least understood. It drives hard and peace and love of humanity. and to all faith leaders witnessing this soft powers; it guides and moulds the Today we will have the first meeting with around the world, to share their common hard power; it is not tangible, neither the senior Grand Ayatollah from Iran and This is an unprecedented demonstration conviction that systematic removal of hard nor soft; neither intellectual nor Iraq with the Holy Father the Pope. of faith leaders of the world coming liberty to exploit another must no longer planned or strategic. It leads to, and is together to draw a line in the sand to be part of this world. We draw together often victorious in the wars of the spirit We have almost unprecedented end the scourge of slavery. To draw the to end this crime against humanity. between good and evil. collaboration between Sunni and Shia, line in the sand to start the world on its Christianity and Islam, in a worldwide journey to end slavery. To utilise the new We know that it is the beliefs and values It is this power, the power to change effort to end slavery. and modern institutions upon which a that reside in the hearts of mankind the hearts of humankind to set right world without slavery may shortly stand, that drive evil or good intentions and our values and beliefs that will free I applaud, in particular, the Sunni and free of slavery. behaviour. Yet it is not until now, with those in bondage. My daughter Grace, Shia who have showed to me their love this show of ethical responsibility who led me into this journey with all and support for each other. This was so I thank, from the bottom of my heart, all by faith leaders, political will by of you to end slavery, described to me essential in making this miraculous day the faith leaders gathered here today and government leaders, conscientious with childlike clarity the evil of the happen. My own faith has not fared so their fellow global faith leaders not able objection to slavery by business leaders, exploitation of one human being over well. There has not been a significant to be with us in this beautiful Vatican and with the unparalleled ease of global another in the form of modern slavery. public agreement between the Vatican room. I thank you for your commitment communications, that we have this great She awakened me to its ugly dimensions, and Lambeth Palace since prior to the to rally the collective billions of believers initiative and these institutions to truly forced labour and exploitation, and it
60 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY was Grace who also spoke the truth to and for any of us to free a slave perhaps faith; His Eminence Metropolitan is the day on which we have drawn the me: slavery is not a human condition, it the greatest forgiveness of sin. Emmanuel of France representing line in the sand against evil, the day is a human choice. his Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch on which we declare that we will end This third spiritual power embodies And salute you, Pope Francis, for globally Bartholomew of the Orthodox faith; and slavery and the day on which the peace, the beliefs and values that shape the championing the cause to end trafficking finally, my inspiration and guide in this love and respect among the world’s goodness of humanity and it is that and slavery; for always bravely stepping great journey, the leader of the Anglican great religions will be our most powerful guiding power in these faith leaders out to elevate the least represented girl faith, the Right and most Honourable weapons against the evil of slavery. gathered here today that I welcome. or boy, woman or man, and rallying us Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury. all to end the dreadful scourge of slavery His selfless humble dedication to the I acknowledge his Excellency Bishop So it is up to you, brave leaders here that denies all fundamental rights to the cause of peace in the world has inspired Sánchez Sorondo, and his mentorship today, to challenge all believers, all your victims; to address the denial of their us all. It is also impossible for me to shared in humility, determination, and congregations, everywhere. You can dignity, their human rights as described go past this moment without also wisdom, who, with my fellow wonderful reach up to 90 per cent of the world’s in the 1948 Universal Declaration of showing my enormous gratitude to his partner Archbishop Sir David Moxon, has population. I ask you to appeal to each Human Rights. Excellency Cardinal Peter Turkson, who guided me. one of us, be we humble or proud, least first encouraged me to pursue the idea or great, girl or boy, woman or man, to I deeply thank you all, my brothers and of the Global Freedom Network and I thank you both, I thank the Grand Imam recognise modern slavery as the evil that sisters. its ambition goals. It is you Cardinal of Al-Azhar, loved by all Sunnis around it is. Turkson, who less than two years ago the world, for the great wisdom and I deeply thank Sheik Omar Abboud of encouraged me, with my daughter Grace, courage he showed through his warm For we know that good and evil do not the Muslim Sunni faith; Sheik Naziyah on this journey, from right here in the encouragement to the Shia faith leaders occur on their own. They occur from Razzaq Jaafar, The Shia representing the heart of the Vatican. to also attend today. within our heart, our heart of mankind. Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Basheer Hussain It is not some supernatural or ominous al Najafi of the Shia faith; the Grand I acknowledge the tremendous work I deeply thank the Buddhist, the Hindu, force external to any of us but rather it is Ayatollah Sayed Al Modarressi, who left of my team, working around the clock the Christian, the Hebrew and the Islamic evil that can be managed and minimised Tehran in Iran only yesterday to be with and around the world, and enduring faith leaders all that have drawn us from within our own hearts. I must admit us in person today; Dr Abbas Abdallah sleepless nights, one ending and together today. That have created history that I am reminded here of the words Abbas Solimam representing the Grand leading into another. I acknowledge today. On behalf of us all gathered here of the prophet Mohammad, may he be Imam of Al-Azhar of the Muslim faith; the Global Freedom Network executives and watching around the world, and forever blessed, who shares this message Her Holiness Mata Amritanandamayi of and the members of the Walk Free team most importantly, the enslaved, I salute of love, spoken so many times by Jesus the Hindu faith; The Venerable Bhikkhuni everywhere. For your love and support you. and lead by God and shown here today, Thich Nu Chan Khong representing Zen and for your absolute dedication to the in the peaceful and loving Hindu, Rabbi Rosen of the Hebrew faith; The cause of ending modern slavery, I thank Thank you. Hebrew and Buddhist faith leaders. That Most Venerable Dhammaratana, Chief you. We rest on your powerful wings in to love the least is the greatest mercy, High Priest of Malaysia of the Buddhist now closing this wonderful event. This
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 61 Address of Grand human seeks greatness and perfection. greatest evil. Caused by ignorance, it allowing them to contribute towards Ayatollah has led to division and discord as well as creating a better life for all people. God Mohammad Taqi But perhaps the greatest of all divine the creation of barriers between those says: O you who believe! If you help al-Modarresi blessings upon us is dignity, for He was who genuinely strive to seek divine God, He will help you and will make your the one who dignified the children of guidance. It is these very barriers that foothold firm.” [47:7] In the name Adam. From dignity emerges freedom, have contributed to religion being of God, the and from freedom originates every undermined and weakened in the public The legacy of our Prophet, the prophet Gracious, the virtue. sphere. Today we must exert additional of mercy, and that of his immaculate Merciful, efforts to tear down those walls and Household, embodied these noble “O mankind! Lo! We God, then placed the burden of carrying destroy those barriers so that religions ideals. The the reformation movement have created you from His words and his names upon righteous can be united under the umbrella of carried out by his grandson Imam male and female, and have made men and women, who are appointed a united word. This must be followed Hussein – the greatest martyr in history you nations and tribes that ye may know as messengers and godly preachers, by joint action in order to establish who was slain in Karbala – was for one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in to remind humankind of the names the glorious names of God on earth emancipation from slavery in all its the sight of God, is the best in conduct. reflected within them. and preach a better future and a more forms and manifestations. In his darkest Lo! God is Knower, Aware.” fulfilling life for humanity, a life of love moments Hussein equated between We, the leaders of the world’s religions and peace, a life of mutual perfection a slave and the dearest of his sons, by Peace be upon Adam and Noah. Peace and scholars of the faiths, carry a and cooperation. God says: “Say, O placing his cheek on Salem – a Turkish be upon Abraham and Ishmael. Peace tremendous burden and a great people of the Book! Come to a common slave – as he did with the fruit of his eye be upon Isaac and Jacob. Peace be responsibly; to deliver to humankind word between us and you, that we do Ali Akbar. It was the Prophet and his Holy upon Moses and Jesus. Peace be upon the injunction that they must revert not worship but God”. Therefore, every Household who asserted time and again Mohammad; God’s Messenger, and upon back to their conscience and safeguard servitude towards other than Him is utter that as far as humanity is concerned, his immaculate progeny. Peace be upon their dignity, for doing so will allow humiliation, as well as a perversion of the Lord is One, and the Father is One, the Prophets of God and His righteous us to uproot all the causes of evil and our very nature which God has made any deviation from this principle is a servants. corruption. We must also remind them of as a lantern of guidance for all human declaration of war against humanity and God’s words and revelations that guide beings. its conscience. Dear religious leaders and heads of us towards connecting with Him to rid denominations, I greet you with the ourselves of aberration, darkness, and Distinguished conveners; we must work I invite you with determination, salutation of Islam; Salam! delusion. in unison to salvage humans from the confidence, and insistence to discover darkness of bondage, from poverty these personalities, for they are God created creatures and embedded No one must take others as slaves, nor and disease, from the proliferation symbols of good and the epitome of within their conscience the intellect, to transgress on their rights, be it in part of weapons of mass destruction, and virtue and purity. Connecting to them inscribed with His glorious names and or in whole, big or small. Humankind from the egregious inequality among is to connect to true liberation from blessed words, thus providing them is the creation of God, and so is every the classes of human society, and the shackles and from bondage. I urge you with a roadmap to their perfection and living being. So even corrupting the destruction of the environment, precisely in this historic summit to open up to this happiness. For God is the Beneficent environment or any living organisms is because religion is linked to the Lord ocean of morality, one without an end to and Merciful. He, therefore, planted the cause for being distanced from our Lord, who is dominant over all things. So if its depth nor a limit to its breadth. seeds of mercy within our souls. God is thus isolating us from our happiness. religious leaders and scholars, with the In conclusion, I would like to offer a set the Invulnerable and the Honourable, so backing of believers, carried out their of recommendations: there exists a yearning for honour in all It is, therefore, the perverted duties, God’s hand will be with them and of us. God is Great and Lofty, and every understanding of religion which is the help them achieve their lofty objectives,
62 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY • Let us unite around the axis of Address of Grand Ayatollah Sheikh became part of the social entity. divine religion for the salvation of Basheer Hussain al Najafi humanity, to rid it of partisanship Civilisations and royalty were formed Praise be to Allah, Most Gracious, Most and war by inviting all towards the and the slavery system became part Merciful. Lord, not to ourselves. of the public system and an essential component of the economic and service • To break through the barriers and I send from Holy Najaf, the land of side. walls erected between the spectra of holiness, purity and knowledge, a salute the singular divine religion of God. to this crowd who is seeking to serve It was difficult to get rid of it at once humanity and I hope that their efforts and Islam, the religion of humanity, has • Let us not call for a mere dialogue be crowned with success. I say: Praise sought to narrow the circle with a system of civilisations, but also to the be to Allah, and peace and blessings on which ensures the spread of freedom and integration of civilisations and all the best of creation Muhammad and his a sense of dignity for all. peoples on the basis of love and blessed Family and a permanent curse to renunciation of hatred. all their enemies. Today, it is unfortunate that the enslavement of human beings has • I call for the heads of divine God Almighty said: “O mankind, indeed become a moral burden because it religions to take courageous we have created you from male and includes the strong preying on the weak initiatives to save humanity from the female and made you peoples and and the rich on the poor and this work agony of poverty and deprivation, tribes that you may know one another. became out of justice and fairness. the suffering of preventable and Indeed, the most noble of you in the treatable diseases, the horrid global sight of Allah is the most righteous Contemporary slavery as it is unjust and arms race, environmental damage, of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and unfair, it is considered a corrupted social as well as slavery in all its forms. Acquainted”. phenomenon and a means to spread terror among the people, and what • The formation of a permanent body God Almighty has spoken the truth. follows it of prostitution and trafficking recognised internationally (akin to in human organs is illegal and must be UNICEF) to uproot the evil of slavery Human beings in accordance with the eliminated. on a cultural level, and see criminals nature and purpose of procreation are prosecuted and punished for forced equal, no one has honour over the Some of the existing systems are labour and slavery. other except by piety (Taqwa) that God responsible for these social evils because made it the way of comparison among of their failure to safeguard the rights Thank you and may God bless you. them and it remains within fairness and of peoples and distancing themselves equitability and quitting it is contrary to from the correct instruction under God’s (Represented by piety. Justice. Sheikh Naziyah Razzaq Jaafar, However, humans went too far and Those who can strive to remove this and this address exceeded the justice system. Some corrupted phenomenon have to spare no was by way of of them went off to enslave and use effort in this. video on the others for their psychological objectives, day). therefore slavery spread across and that Peace be upon you.
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 63 Address of Her protect victims from such a fate. It is also war to save the helpless from the grip treating living beings as mere objects Holiness Mata the moral responsibility of every citizen of demonic minds. We don’t want a to be used and eventually discarded. Amritanandamayi who is committed to justice and social response borne out of revenge due to The number of victims of this business (Amma) welfare. However, we are all aware of perceived differences in caste, creed, is rapidly increasing. Like the roots the bitter truth that this problem cannot religion, etc. Instead, we need to develop of an enormous tree, the roots of this Om Amriteshwaryai easily be solved, for the wound of human empathy, realising the divinity within tragedy are pervading deeper and Namah trafficking is centuries old and extremely each person. deeper into society. If we fail to do Your Holiness and deep-rooted. something effective against this injustice honoured guests… The human mind has created many happening right in front of our eyes, it Human trafficking rips apart the lives divisions in the form of religion, caste, will constitute a travesty against future I would like to start by expressing my of innocent and helpless children, who language and national boundaries. generations. heartfelt appreciation for being able to embrace life with a heart full of sweet Let us try to create a bridge of all- participate in such an historic gathering. dreams for the future, but are left, in the encompassing pure love to break down Victims of human trafficking lose their I take this opportunity to express my end, destroyed and discarded. these self-created walls. Any hardened self-respect and fall into a pit of despair. gratitude for the determination and We have been granted the blessing of heart will soften in love. Love can spread They are often used by terrorists as drug social commitment of His Holiness and life through God’s compassion. This life light through even the densest darkness. mules, suicide bombers and for many to Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy is to be spent performing good deeds as Selfless love transforms the mind from other illegal activities. Some foods that of Sciences, respected Bishop Marcelo an offering to God. To destroy another a demon that enslaves us into our own we eat on a daily basis are produced by Sánchez Sorondo, who has worked very person’s life is a misuse of God’s gift. liberator. Those who traffic and enslave children who are forced to work day and hard to make this assembly a reality. All living beings are instruments in the others have fallen prey to a negative night. Victim’s kidneys and other body hands of the Divine. mind. Religious leaders should, without parts become commodities sold in the Human trafficking is one of the worst ulterior motives, formulate an action marketplace. When these victims are curses that plagues society, not only for The law of God’s court is righteousness, plan of rehabilitation based on selfless no longer useful and have developed this century, but since the beginning or Dharma. Let us all strive to respect love and spirituality, the essence of all psychological problems as a result of of time. The more we try to eradicate and follow this law. Human trafficking is faiths. abuse or have contracted incurable slavery and forced labour, it seems to unrighteous. diseases such as AIDS, they are finally rebound with double the strength. It is Remaining silent in the face of thrown out onto the streets. like an evil ghost that keeps haunting All religious leaders have the ability to unrighteousness is unrighteous. us. As His Holiness has stated, “Human help both the perpetrators – those who Governments and political leaders have I have personally seen and listened to trafficking is an open wound on the body trap their fellow human beings in the to establish laws without loopholes, thousands upon thousands of examples of contemporary society. It is a crime net of human enslavement – as well as so the guilty cannot escape, and these of human trafficking. Once, a woman against humanity.” the victims who get caught in this net. laws must be strictly enforced. In many came to me and burst into tears. She They both need to be guided to the countries, the government and various said, “Amma, I have AIDS. My only desire It is the duty of each country to right path. Religious leaders should be NGOs are fighting against human is to see my child before I die. Please implement laws that address and work prepared to fight this battle and uphold trafficking, but we see no reduction in help me.” When Amma asked what had to eradicate this extremely cruel and righteousness. This is not a war meant the power and massive financial gain happened, she said, “When I was nine immoral crime and to liberate and to kill. We need to be ready to fight a of those who make a business out of years old, I was working as a domestic
64 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY servant for a family. There I met an Some other women also narrated their In spite of taking regular medications, if When Amma’s devotees go to villages elderly man. He said he could give me horrifying story to Amma, “A man used a diabetic continues to eat sweet food, to give vocational training, women a better salary and promised me many to visit us regularly. He would help out their blood sugar level will increase. are also given sex education and life other benefits. Because my family had with whatever was needed, and we Diet control and lifestyle modification enrichment education. As a result, many so many financial problems, I left with became very comfortable with him. After are more important than medication. In young women have been able to save him. When we reached the new place, a while, he offered to take our children the case of impoverished children who themselves from people trying to sell I saw that there were many other girls abroad to work in his friend’s company. lack access to proper education because them for prostitution, sometimes even there. I wasn’t allowed to speak to any of He promised to send back large amounts schools are scarce, resulting in many their own parents. Amma has been them. Finally, I realised it was a brothel. of money each month. He gave each children only going to fourth or eight able to help 80% of the women who Men started to rape me regularly. At first, of us an advance payment of Rs. 1000. grade, money alone will not improve the were forced into prostitution and came I felt angry as well as guilty for what I He took our children with him. We have situation. We need to provide the new to her for help. But, the other 20% are was being made to do. But, as time went not seen him or our children since. We generation as well as victims of human continuing the same way of life. They do by, I lost all sense of dignity and even are not sure where our children are, trafficking with a practical education not want to change and Amma has also started to find pleasure in my work. After but we heard that they were taken to a that will help create a greater awareness not tried to force them to do anything. 5 years, I gave birth to a girl. They let me brothel. When people went to search the within them. We need to awaken their breast feed my baby for the first month, brothel, they were told that the children latent courage and self-confidence, to Lust is a kind of hunger. Even if we feel then suddenly took her away from me. had already been trafficked from there.” help them arise. They need to realise that hungry, we don’t devour everything After a few more years, I was diagnosed Saying this, they burst into tears. they are not helpless and vulnerable like we can get our hands on. If we go to a with HIV. They stopped allowing me to kittens; they are mighty and courageous restaurant and order food, the people see my child. When I became really sick, Today the value of everything has lions. We have to help them elevate their around us may have ordered a variety of they said they were going to take me to increased. Men sell their sperm and minds. different dishes. We may think, “I wish a hospital but, instead, they abandoned women their ova for a great deal of I had ordered that dish instead,” but me. I begged them to let me see my money. But ironically, in many countries, There are two types of education: even if we feel this way, we will exercise child just one more time, but they never a child can be purchased for prostitution education for a living and education a certain amount of restraint. In this agreed. They didn’t even take me back or forced labour for a pathetic sum of ten for life. When we study in college, manner, we need to exercise restraint to the brothel. Everyone I approached to twenty dollars. striving to become a doctor, lawyer, for everything in life, especially lust. for help treated me with disgust and or engineer – this is education for a Spiritual values need to be inculcated at loathing. The only thing they didn’t do is Human trafficking is a complex problem. living. On the other hand, education for a young age. When Amma was a child, throw stones at me. All doors close in my The solution needs to be multifaceted. life requires an understanding of the her mother would say, “Never urinate in face. I cannot live in this world anymore. We must address the aspect of dharma essential principles of spirituality. The the river. The river is the Divine Mother.” I just want to see my child once more (or doing the right thing), the compelling real goal of education is not to create When we swam in the backwaters, even before I die. Will they inject her with aspect of poverty, legal aspects, etc. people who can understand only the though the water was cold, remembering hormones to make her look older, use Social service and awareness campaigns language of machines. The main purpose our mother’s words, we could restrain her like they used me and eventually also have a huge role to play in this of education should be to impart a ourselves. When we develop a throw her out?” Hearing her pathetic process. Considering all aspects, we will culture of the heart – a culture based on reverential attitude towards a river, we story, I sent some people to go and try to only be able to improve this situation enduring values. will never defile it. Our respect towards find her daughter. It was a difficult task. with a collaborative approach. the river helped to keep it clean, and a
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 65 clean river ultimately benefits everyone the loss of their only source of income, suns reflected in a thousand pots of May the inherent compassion within who uses it. It’s not important to debate the mother sent her son to school in water, there is only one sun. Likewise, all living beings awaken. May we all whether God exists or not. What is the morning and then she poisoned her the consciousness within all of us is the develop the discernment to love and important is that devotion and faith in daughter and herself. same. Just as one hand spontaneously respect life and those living around God help to sustain good values and reaches out to soothe the other hand us. We are not isolated islands but righteousness in society. These values It is justifiable to shut down such when it is in pain, may we all console interconnected links on the chain of are what bring balance to society and the factories, but we often forget the families and support others as we would ourself. God’s creation. May we realise this entire creation. of the young children who depend on People from all nations and religions great truth. May we see others’ pain these factories in order to live. In our become victims to the ravaging effects as our pain and their happiness as our Roads are meant for vehicles to drive attempt to resolve a problem, if we only of human enslavement and experience happiness. May we forget all the pain on, but if we say “I can drive however I see one aspect and fail to see the other, extreme abuse and suffering. Their and the suffering of the past, and forgive wish,” we may get into an accident. Just the repercussions are experienced by physical and mental pain does not all the hurt we have experienced. May we as there are traffic rules, there are similar people who have no one to turn to. differentiate between language, race bow down in reverence to all that is good rules for everything in life. Spiritual Before we push drastically to stop child or skin colour. These victims are just in the world, and find eternal happiness. values help us to live according to these labour and human trafficking, first we a single group of humans, struggling rules. need to build a foundation to help these against the clutches of endless sorrow families become self-sufficient and and emotional suppression. Many people are working hard to ensure their future. put a stop to child labour. But just by There are antibiotic ointments that banning it, we will not be able to solve Spirituality begins and culminates aid in the healing of external wounds. the problem. Once, a man brought a in compassion. If we could transform Similarly, there are many different kinds 10 year old boy to Amma. He wanted compassion from a mere word into a of medication available to treat diseases Amma to raise the boy in the ashram, path of action, we would be able to of our internal organs. But there is only and told her the story of how he became solve 90% of the world’s humanitarian one medicine that can heal the wounds an orphan. His father had died two years problems. There are two types of poverty of our mind. This medicine is pure before, so his mother and sister went to in the world. The first type is due to Love. In order to heal the mental and work in a matchbox factory near their the lack of food, clothing and shelter. emotional wounds inflicted upon the home. His mother was diagnosed with The second type is the poverty of love victims of human trafficking, we need chronic kidney disease and was unable and compassion. We need to tackle to care for them with selfless love. This to work as she was bedridden. Even the second type of poverty first. If we will bring them into the light of a free though his sister was paid very little, it have love and compassion, we will life, away from the darkness forcefully was just enough to make ends meet. wholeheartedly serve and help those imposed upon them in the past. We After a while, laws were established that who lack food, clothing and shelter. need to create a large task force of social banned child labour. The owner of the According to the Bhagavad Gita, the servants to carry out this sacred mission. matchbox factory was arrested, and his Creator and creation are one, just as Only religious and spiritual leaders can company was shut down. All the children waves and the ocean are one and the bring together such a task force. working there were let go. Distraught at same. Though we may see a thousand
66 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY Address of Zen happiness born from the insight that need. When we have peace in ourselves, Master Thich Nhat the Kingdom of God is already available and clarity in our mind, we will be Hanh (Thay) in the here and now. The feeling of love able to have compassion even for the and admiration for nature that we all traffickers themselves. We will be able Your Holinesses, share, has the power to nourish us, and to help wake them up, and touch the Your Excellencies, Your unite us, and remove all separation and seed of compassion in their hearts. Our Eminencies, dear Most discrimination. compassion can help them abandon Venerables, Distinguished Guests, their exploitation, and transform them Ladies and Gentlemen. Please allow By being in touch with everything that is into our friends and allies of our cause. me to read the words that our Beloved refreshing and healing, we will be able But when we can take care ourselves Teacher, Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, to free ourselves from our daily concerns in the present moment, our actions of wished to deliver here today. for material comforts and we will have service will have spiritual depth. a lot of time to realise our ideal of In our age of global material and bringing freedom and compassion to all Without a spiritual practice we will economic growth, there also needs to be human beings. As it says in the Gospel, abandon our dream very soon. And a growth in our spiritual life. Even with “Do not worry about what you will eat or without a spiritual community we will the greatest good will, if we are swept drink or wear. Seek first the Kingdom of not be able to succeed in our work away by our daily concerns for material God and all these things will be given of compassion. We should not go as needs or emotional comforts, we will to you. Don’t worry about tomorrow. cavaliers seuls, as lone warriors. We need be too busy to realise our common Tomorrow will care of itself.” to learn the art of building a thriving aspiration. community, where there is brotherhood In our work of service, we must have and sisterhood, love and understanding. Contemplation must go together with time to come back to ourselves, and action. Without a spiritual practice we generate peace in our body and mind. If we can cultivate a spiritual dimension will abandon our dream very soon. When we can recognise and embrace our to our life and work today, tomorrow own suffering, the energy of compassion will take care of itself. With a spiritual Each of us, according to the teaching will be born in our hearts, and we will community to support us, we will be able of our own tradition, must practice to know what to do and what not to do to realise our dream. be deeply in touch with the wonders to relieve the suffering of our beloved of Nature, with the wonders of life in ones, and of the world. We need to be (Represented by Venerable each of us, the Kingdom of God in each able to embrace our own anger, fear, Bhikkhuni Thich Nu Chan Khong, of us, the Pure Land, Nirvana in each discrimination and despair; and we his eldest monastic student). of us, so that we can get the healing, need to look deeply in order to generate the nourishment, the joy and the the clarity, courage and compassion we
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 67 Address of His more inhumane and more malevolent Third, how ironic and, moreover, how All-Holiness than similar phenomena in the early tragic that – while we strive to establish Ecumenical Christian centuries or even in more thresholds and deadlines to protect the Patriarch recent centuries. For today we are natural environment as God’s gift to the Bartholomew addressing and responding to an world – we nevertheless remain unaware invisible, clandestine and underground and indifferent to the oppressive abuse Dear friends, reality – one that shamelessly exploits of human beings bearing the very It is a special and mercilessly undermines both men seal of divine grace. We have not yet privilege and a and women of all ages, race and religion understood that ecological pollution and sincere pleasure to through such criminal and abusive destruction on the one hand and human respond to the invitation of measures as human trafficking, forced slavery and exploitation on the other our beloved brothers, His Holiness Pope labour, prostitution and organ trafficking. hand are two sides of the same coin. Francis and His Grace Archbishop Justin It is our human and divine vocation to of Canterbury as co-founders of the Second, how ironic and, moreover, remember and recognise that the way Global Freedom Network, to address your how tragic that once again the most that we treat our neighbour is directly assembly and to support your universal profoundly and negatively affected are related to the way that we care for our declaration against modern slavery. the vulnerable and poor of our world! environment. And by the same token, the It is foolish and arrogant for people way that we respond to our environment We would like to assure you that with power and wealth to imagine that is immediately reflected in the way that we stand with you in solidarity and they can seize possession or acquire we behave toward other human beings. commitment to eradicate modern ownership of other people’s labour expressions of slavery, which are for purposes of greed and profit. It Dear brothers and sisters, let us always a disgrace to God, a dishonour to is sinful and immoral for people to hold before our eyes and our hearts humankind, and a degradation of all its capitalise on and exploit the body or that “the earth is the Lord’s; and all that innocent victims fashioned in the image physical organs of others as if these were is within it” (Psalm 24.1) – including and likeness of our heavenly Creator. somehow distinct or disconnected from every human being, as well as every their soul and spirit. And it is certainly bodily organ. God alone is the Lord of There are three observations that we blasphemous and hubris to reduce all humanity and the landlord of all would like to bring to your attention any one of our brothers and sisters – creation. To Him belong all glory, honour about the moral imperative to abolish irrespective of gender, race and age and worship. Amen. human trafficking and forced labour – to a single aspect of the mystery and destiny for which they were created by (Represented by His Eminence First, how ironic and, moreover, how the living God. The body and productivity Emmanuel Adamakis of tragic that in the twenty-first century, of others are not ours to own; they France, and this address was we are still responding to the moral are only ours to respect and treat with by way of video on the day). challenge of slavery! Indeed, the dignity. slavery that we witness and confront is
68 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY Address of Rabbi slavery—a result of human action. God’s she shall be let live in the community humanity concept. The prophet describes Abraham Skorka, M.T. subsequent laws only came to regulate of his or her choosing. The verse ends actions of cruelty and devastation Meyer Latin-American what had already been done by men. with this warning, “Do not molest him.” which will be punished by God, as their Rabbinical Seminary There is extensive bibliography on this Rabbis have understood that this verse magnitude sets aside any possibility subject[3]. is about Gentile slaves, who must be of forgiveness or absolution. These All Forms of Slavery accepted into society, provided that they are crimes committed by different are Crimes against There are two very significant laws in the adhere to no pagan cult[6]. This law is peoples—from Damascus, Gaza, Tzor, Humanity. Scriptures regarding slavery, which was completely against the codification of Edom, Bnei Ammon, Moab—ending with an institution accepted by all civilisations Hammurabi (15–19). those committed in Judah and Israel. This paper provides a brief until as recent times as the 18th century. Among the hideous crimes perpetrated overview of what Hebrew The Torah, for instance, according to Maimonides emphasizes in Hilkhot by Judah’s and Israel’s neighbouring Law[1] says about all forms of slavery, Exodus 21:16 and Deuteronomy 24:7, Melakhim 9:8 that we must give merciful peoples, two of them (those committed including forced labour and prostitution. sets forth that a kidnaper, whether he care to slaves. This is further elaborated by the inhabitants of Gaza and Tzor) refer sells his victim or still has him or her in the Guide for the Perplexed III, to individuals being taken captive and Even though slavery was accepted when caught, shall be put to death. Chapter XXXIX. sold as slaves. In the prophet’s view, such under biblical regulations, a Hebrew This definitely establishes that biblical attitude must be considered a serious would only be subjugated to slavery rules firmly reject the subjugation of Rabbi Abraham Itzhak HaKohen Kook, offense against morality and any sense if he or she had stolen a thing which people—the form of slavery most often one of the most preeminent rabbinic of human justice. they failed to return, or if they became encountered in history. authorities from the 20th century, so impoverished that they had to sell reviewed biblical and rabbinic laws Also, the exploitation of women and their services to be able to survive[2]. The laws of the children of Noah, which referring to slavery in a letter he sent in children has been condemned since However, a Hebrew slave was considered are the rabbinic version[4] of the Roman response to Moshe Seidl in 1904[7]. He biblical times by Judaism[8]. The views to be like a hired servant under Leviticus jus gentium[5], set forth that any Gentile understands that, given the qualities of Abrahamic peoples have shaped the 25:40. who steals the freedom of any other that naturally distinguish one human conscience of Western civilisation and, person will be punished with death, being from another, there will always to a great extent, of the Eastern world. It A Gentile slave does not have the as codified by Maimonides in Hilkhot be someone who will in one way or is not surprising, then, that many of the same status as a Hebrew slave, and is Melakhim 9:9, based on Sanhedrin 57a. the other work for others, with these documents drafted in the 20th century, considered to be just one more asset of others making use of their services. The which constitute the basis for the crime his master. This biblical position requires The wise understood that Exodus 21:20, Torah, Kook says, provides a set of rules against humanity concept and scope, further analysis, as it is seemingly ruling that the death of a slave shall be governing this relationship for workers expressly refer to forced labour and inconsistent with the overall view of the punished with death, applies to both to be taken care of and protected by the prostitution as part of its definition. Scriptures, whereunder all mankind is Hebrew and Gentile servants. If any work giver. Rabbi Kook strongly criticizes considered to originate from the same of their visible organs were hurt, they the owners of carbon mines of his time, In Article 7(c) of the Rome Statute of the first human being—therefore sharing his should be let go free immediately in who would force their workers to work International Criminal Court[9], slavery is same rights and obligations. In Genesis compensation. under unhealthy and unsafe conditions. considered a crime against humanity. In 9:25 we read that slavery is established Article 7(g), same status is given to rape, by men. Noah curses Canaan, his On the other hand, Deuteronomy There is one paragraph in the first two sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, grandson, saying that the lowest of 23:16–17 holds that a slave who has chapters of the book of prophet Amos forced pregnancy, enforced sterilization, slaves shall he be to his brothers. escaped from his master will not be (1:2–15; 2:1–6) which could be read or any other form of sexual violence of This seems to be the beginning of handed over back to him, instead he or as a precedent of the crime against comparable gravity.
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 69 Article 7 of the International Criminal Based on the Maimonidean codification, Akiva[15], once a death sentence has case of criminal felonies, and nothing Court defines “enslavement” as “the and to have in mind the basic codified been issued, no contrition or repentance should be rushed. A Sanhedrin that puts exercise of any or all of the powers rules applicable to the statutes of of the accused shall lift the death a man to death once in seven years is a attaching to the right of ownership over limitation concept, reference is made to sentence. murderous one. However, if the situation a person and includes the exercise of Hilkhot Sanhedrin (13: 7–8), in the Book requires them to sentence and execute such power in the course of trafficking of Judges (Shoftim) of Yad HaJazakah: Concerning the limitation applicable to wrongdoers even on a daily basis, they in persons, in particular women and the action and its resulting punishment, shall do so as required.” children.” “If one fled after having been convicted there is one paragraph in Tractate Makkot at a court and again comes up before (7a) which should be also considered: This means that even though the Both in the letter to the Nuremberg the same court, the first judgment is Torah sets the principle of application International Military Court (Article not set aside. Wherever two witnesses “A Sanhedrin (court of 23 members of a death sentence in all cases of 6), in Law No. 10 of the Allied Control stand up and declare, ‘we testify that authorised to hear criminal cases; also premeditated crimes committed in front Council of Germany (Article 2), in the so and so was tried and convicted at a called Sanhedrin Ketanah) that puts to of witnesses who warn the murderer of Tokyo Statute (Article 5(c)), and in the certain court and that so and so were the death one person every seven years is the crime he is about to commit, such multiple documents drafted by United witnesses,’ the accused is executed[11]. called murderous; Rabbi Eliezer ben application may be limited or expanded Nations relevant agencies, slavery is When is this law applied? In the case of Azaria says: Even once in seventy years. subject to the criterion of the wise men, consistently classified as a crime against a murderer[12]; but in any other cases Rabbi Tarfon and Rabbi Akiva say: Had based on the rules and procedures humanity[10]. where the death penalty is applied, such we sat in the Sanhedrin, no person would such wise men dictate. This principle penalty cannot be executed without the ever have been put to death (rabbinic as set forth by the wise men in the As a result, adherence by all States to presence of the witnesses who attested courts authorised to impose death Talmud is applicable in all areas of the these principles, by incorporating them to the crime committed and testified sentences were no longer in existence Halakhah[16]. into their constitutions and substantive at the trial which resulted in the death in their time, as they were eliminated legislation, is supported by Hebrew Law penalty being imposed, which shall be forty years before the destruction of Based on the above, it can be concluded in all its forms and essence. by themselves executed. Such testimony the second Temple, as referred to in that there is no time limitation for the shall be given before a tribunal of 23 Sanhedrin 41a). Rabban Shimon ben criminal action under Hebrew Law; The Statute of Limitations Applicable to judges[13]. Gamaliel remarked: They would also however, capital cases may be reviewed Crimes and the Crime against Humanity multiply (with this attitude) the shedders by rabbinic courts using all of the Concept under Hebrew Law A sentence imposed by a Diaspora of blood (murderers) in Israel.” above juridical principles to lessen the Court on a person who has fled and sentence. A brief discussion now follows on the has appeared before a court of the The Gemara ad locum explains that what statute of limitations applicable to land of Israel, is always cancelled[14]. Rabbi Tarfon and Rabbi Akiva did was to Finally, a famous Talmudic passage crimes and the crime against humanity If the court in Israel is the same as the examine the witnesses with such a level (Sanhedrin 37a) also deals with the under Hebrew Law. Diaspora court, then the sentence is not of detail that their testimonies would crime against humanity concept: revoked, even though it was issued in the eventually become distorted. whoever destroys a single soul is as Upon review the statute of limitations Diaspora and they are now in Israel.” though he had destroyed a complete applicable to criminal felonies, a Maimonides summarises this as follows world, and whoever preserves a single distinction is to be drawn between It is clear, therefore, that sentences (Yad, Hilkhot Sanhedrin, 10: 10): soul is as though he had preserved a limitations rules affecting res judicata, issued by a competent court (res complete world. Thus, any premeditated and those barring the action. judicata) are not time-barred under “A thorough analysis must be performed criminal action should be, based on Hebrew Law. Furthermore, as per Rabbi by the court (before sentencing) in the Noahide laws, reviewed and punished by
70 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY Hebrew jus gentium, aside from whether Marcelo Ferreyra, in Derechos Humanos Both the Nuremberg Statute and the Also, both Statutes include persecution it is against a single individual or an (GORDILLO, Agustín, 6th Edition, Buenos International Criminal Court Statute based on political, racial, national, entire people. It is not the number of Aires, Fundación Derecho Administrativo, add the generic phrase “other inhuman cultural or religious grounds, albeit in victims harmed, or the cruelty involved in 2007, Chapter XIII, “Crimes against acts”, allowing the incorporation of other connection with other crimes — not as the crime which substantially aggravates humanity: Grounds and Scope of crimes not expressly contemplated independent crimes. Based on Hebrew the crime, but in the conception of the Validity”) notes that it is striking that therein. It is hereby suggested that Law precepts, persecution should be Halakhah, the crime of a single person rape is not expressly included, which is human trafficking be expressly included considered an independent, separate should be weighted in the same manner also the case in the 1948 Convention on in Article 7 of the International Criminal crime against humanity[17]. as those committed against all mankind. Genocide. But sexual violence against Court Statute. Article 7 of the International Criminal women and sexual crimes in general Court Statute provides the following have never been seriously contemplated (descriptive, not restrictive) definition in humanitarian international law, at of crimes against humanity: any crime least until the promulgation of the when committed as part of a widespread International Criminal Court Statute. EndNotes or systematic attack directed against Indeed, rape was not included in the [1] On the definition of the concept of Hebrew Law, see: Introducción al Derecho Hebreo, Abraham Skorka, Compiler, EUDEBA, Buenos any civilian population, with knowledge London Statute which created the Aires, 2001. of the attack. As precedents for this Nuremberg Military Court, there is only [2] Mishneh Torah, Sefer Kinian, Hilkhot Avadim 1:1, based on Exodus 22:2 and Leviticus 25:29. .לאדשי תורוא תללכמ ,ג ךרכ ,זסשת תורוא יללט ,ארקמב םדאה דובכו םיינענכה תוחפשהו םידבעה תויגוס ,ביבר הקבר [3] definition, Article 6 of the Nuremberg one reference to “family honour” in [4] Sanhedrin 56a–60a; Tosefta Avodah Zarah 8:4. In Midrashim they are found in: Bereshit Raba Chapters 16, 26, 34; Shemot Raba Court Statute, the Nuremberg sentences, the Hague Conventions (Article 46 of Chapter 30; Bemidbar Raba Chapter 14; Devarim Raba Chapters 1, 2; Shir HaShirim Raba Chapter 1; Kohelet Raba Chapter 2; Tanjuma, Yitro, etc. resolutions 3(I) and 95(I) of the United the 4th Convention), and the Geneva Although the seven Noahide laws are not expressly mentioned in Talmud Yerushalmi, reference is made to them in different passages, Nations General Assembly, and the legal Conventions only have one article such as: Yevamot Chapter 11, page 14, column 1; Kidushin Chapter 1, page 58, column 3, etc. principles underlying such documents forbidding sexual violence and forced [5] The close resemblance of the laws of the children of Noah and jus gentium has been long known. In jure Naturali et gentium juxta disciplinam Ebraeroum, published in 1640, John Selden notes this close resemblance in multiple aspects of both codifications. (summarised by the ICC in 1950 under prostitution (Article 27 of the 4th [6] Sh”uT, Mishpat Cohen 63 the title of “Nuremberg Principles”) can Convention). [7] Igrot HaRe‘iyah, Mossad Harav Kook, 1961, Jerusalem, No. 89, letter from 21 of Av, 5664. [8] The Bible stresses the respect to be paid to women and children, noting the special care to be afforded to them given their state be mentioned. of helplessness, upon becoming widows and orphans, for further reference see: Exodus 22:21; Deuteronomy 10:18; 24:17; 27:19; The wide, descriptive scope of Article Jeremiah 22:3; Zacharias 7:10; Psalms 146:9; etc. [9]Text of the Rome Statute circulated as document A/CONF.183/9 of 17 July 1998 and corrected by process-verbaux of 10 November Article 6(c) of the London Statute defines 7 of the International Criminal Court 1998, 12 July 1999, 30 November 1999, 8 May 2000, 17 January 2001 and 16 January 2002. The Statute entered into force on 1 July crimes against humanity as follows: (c) Statute adds the following as crimes 2002. CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY: namely, against humanity: (e) Imprisonment [10] See: Martín Lozada, Crímenes contra la humanidad. Su abordaje of acuerdo al desarrollo actual of la doctrina and la jurisprudencia. Nuestra Memoria, Year XX, No. 38, August 2014. Museo del Holocausto, Buenos Aires, pages 29-60. murder, extermination, enslavement, or other severe deprivation of physical [11] Makkot 7a. deportation, and other inhumane liberty in violation of fundamental rules [12] Sanhedrin 45b explains the meaning of this verse (35: 21): “He that smote him shall surely be put to death, he is a murderer”, it must be understood that “he shall be put to death in all cases”, i.e. even if other than by the original witnesses. acts committed against any civilian of international law; (f) Torture; (g) Rape, [13] As it must be done in all cases where a person is on trial subject to a penalty of death (Mishnah Sanhedrin 1: 4). population, before or during the war; sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, [14] Even if the witnesses who testified to the commission of the crime appear, based on whose testimony sentence was issued (Makkot 7a), as in this case, the blessing of the land of Israel could help the judges to find some form of exculpation for them (as per the exegesis or persecutions on political, racial or forced pregnancy, enforced sterilization, of Rashi ad locum D”H: MiPenei Zejutah Shel Eretz Israel). religious grounds in execution of or in or any other form of sexual violence [15] Makkot 13b. connection with any crime within the of comparable gravity; (i) Enforced [16] See: Shlomo Grinberg, HaYesh Koaj BeYad Jakhamim LaAkor Davar Min HaTora, in: Hagut Ivrit BeAmerika, Tel Aviv, 5732, pages 329-336. jurisdiction of the Tribunal, whether or disappearance of persons, and (j) The not in violation of the domestic law of crime of apartheid. I would like to thank lawyers Déborah Lichtmann and Tomás Jacobo Lichtmann for their kind help in the drafting of this paper. the country where perpetrated.
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 71 Address of The Most a current example and live evidence of intensity. Even in Malaysia – where we Ven. Datuk K Sri what is happening right before our eyes. are a multi-cultural and multi-religious Dhammaratana, From this episode, it is evident how cruel country this issue still takes place. There Chief High Priest of and how low the morality and humanity are some that take advantage of the Malaysia is that after you perform such act, one country’s economic growth that creates can follow up to publicise it for the world opportunities to attract innocent people Put a Stop to Modern to see, as though it is an episode of to come here in search of jobs, lured Slavery and Human success. Females and children, the more by agents who promise them security, Trafficking! vulnerable parties are seen to be the shelter and guaranteed pay. Sacrifices bulk of the victims, families are broken are made, just to know upon arrival or The truth of life is everything apart, parents going all out to protect thereafter that they are either abandoned changes, we grow with time and their kids only to face the fact that at to fend for themselves or become slaves embrace the changes. certain times nothing can be done. Kids of employers in domestic households not being able to live a normal life and or plantations and factories all over the In the 20th century today we have made enjoy their childhood like they should. country. Besides labour related human so many advancements in science and There is no fairness, everyone has a trafficking, prostitution and the sale of technology, exploring space travel, right to live the life that they have been women and babies is a big area that also developing communication points at blessed with. needs to be addressed. our finger tips and reaching every corner of the globe in a touch. It is amazing to We would have thought that given the Religious leaders play an important role see how changes have brought so much marvel of the widespread education to work together with the government advancement to life. of globalisation and the great parties to put a stop to these negative establishments of organisations that activities. I believe that together, we However, the truth hurts – the come forth to protect human rights – must be united with the effort to increase advancement that we grow with sadly there will be more assurance for all to investigations and prosecutions of labour did not reflect in humanity. We are live a decent life. It is so torturous to trafficking offences and slavery. We must still witnessing all the barbaric and those victims to even think if they will ensure that there are equal human rights horrifying acts of humans which should be able to live through the night, life is for all and that everyone can live the life have been abandoned a long time lived in fear and constant worry for them. that they deserve. ago. Humans have certainly advanced in technology but not spiritually. On Human trafficking and slavery is so social media, there is a broadcast of a widespread that it is practiced in every (This address was not made on the day of 2nd December 2014 - his words were provided gruesome beheading of humans, this is part of the world at varying levels of to support the vision of ending modern slavery.)
72 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY “THE ISSUE OF TODAY IS THAT WHENEVER WE TALK ABOUT INVOLVEMENT OF GOVERNMENTS AND BUSINESSES, WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES AND WHAT IT IS GOING TO TAKE, AND TODAY IT WAS ABOUT HOPE. TODAY IT WAS REALLY ABOUT HOPE BECAUSE YOU HAD ALL THESE RELIGIOUS LEADERS HERE REPRESENTING 90% OF THE WORLD, AND THE MESSAGE TODAY WAS HOPE AND A VISION OF A WORLD REALLY FREE OF SLAVERY AS A HUMAN VALUE.” 32 Jean Baderschneider, CEO Global Fund to End Slavery
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 73 WITH THANKS
The Global Freedom Network thanks all those involved in the creation of the 2nd December 2014 initiative. Since that time, the Board has resolved that the Global Freedom Network work will continue strongly, but no longer requires the deep and broad governance of strong Catholic persuasion which previously existed.
On the election of a non-Catholic Chairman, as contemplated under the Global Freedom Network Memorandum of Agreement, Bishop Sánchez Sorondo chose to withdraw from the Global Freedom Network. This event was understood, and gratitude for his role in the founding of the Global Freedom Network and the creation of the 2nd December event was warmly expressed.
Further, the Global Freedom Network, as envisaged under its charter, is now moving to sovereign and regional religious jurisdictions, as well as into larger global business, political, civil and influencing communities. The governance structure required to assist the creation of the 2nd December initiative was retired. The following letter was received by 24 faith leaders and Global Freedom Network Council members and supporters, in gratitude for their service and role in creating 2nd December. In each case, Andrew Forrest expressed his heartfelt and lifelong gratitude to each faith leader for his or her role – however big or small - in creating the miracle that was the December 2nd event.
74 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY REFERENCES
1 Sayed Mahdi al-Modarresi article: “When the Pope Met the Grand Ayatollah, 20 David Moxon, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s representative to the Holy See, History was Made”, Huffington Post, 09/12/14, updated 07/02/2015 interview, June 2015 2 Pope Francis, address to new Ambassadors to the Holy See, Vatican, 12th December 21 Andrew Forrest interview, Perth, June 2015 2013 22 www.news.va/en/news/presentation-of-the-message-for-the-48th-world-day 3 Most Rev’d and Rt Hon Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, speech, Vatican, 23 Grace Forrest comments, interview Perth, June 2015, and video interview, Vatican, 2nd December 2014 2nd December 2014 4 Andrew Forrest, interview, Perth, June 2015 24 www.walkfreefoundation.org 5 Antonia Stampalija, interview, Perth, June 2015 25 Andrew Forrest speech, Vatican, 2nd December 2014 6 David Moxon, interview, June 2015 26 The Central Office of His Eminence the Grand Ayatollah Sheik Basheer Hussein 7 Felicity Gooding, interview, Perth, June 2015 Al-Najafy, correspondence 8 Raza Jafa, global businessman and philanthropist, interview, June 2015 27 www.freedomfund.org 9 2014 Global Slavery Index 28 www.fundtoendslavery.org 10 www.globalslaveryindex.org 29 Ms Antonia Stampalija, CEO Global Freedom Network, interview, Perth, June 2015 11 John F Kerry, Secretary of State US, US Department of State 2015 Trafficking in 30 Most Rev’d and Rt Hon Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, speech, Vatican, Persons Report 2nd December 2014 12 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime report 2014 31 Mohammad Taqi Al-Modarresi, letter to Pope Francis, 25th December 2014 13 Trafficking in Persons report, US Department of State, June 2013 32 Jean Baderschneider, CEO Global Fund to End Slavery, video interview, Vatican, 14 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime report 2014 2nd December 2014 15 Her Holiness Mata Amritanandamayi, speech, Vatican, 2nd December 2014 16 Pope Francis, speech, Vatican, 2nd December 2014 17 James Kofi Annan, Founder Challenging Heights, video interview, Vatican, 2nd December 2014 18 Bhikkuni Venerable Sister Chan Khong and the Bikkhu Venerable Brother Phap An – correspondence from Zen Village Bouddhique France, 6th February 2015 19 Sayed Mahdi al-Modarresi article: “When the Pope Met the Grand Ayatollah, History was Made”, Huffington Post, 09/12/14, updated 07/02/2015
2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 75 #EndSlavery
www.globalfreedomnetwork.org
76 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY Andrew and Nicola Forrest Australia
Dear Bill and Warren, Nicola and I are honoured to be inaugural members of the new group of international (non U.S.) pledgers. We join you in the common hope that our example may give others in similar fortunate circumstances pause for thought. Accordingly, we say the following: Dear readers, and indeed any person who is considering philanthropy, As a family we agreed many years ago to give away the majority of our wealth. We felt that if our children were to inherit considerable wealth, it would only get in the way of them striving for and acheiving their best, and truly making a positive difference in other people’s lives. As you contemplate your own long term choices in life, perhaps consider joining us. Then consider also committing the same leadership, passion and determination that created your wealth, to the THE GIVING PLEDGE causes you believe in. Giving your most precious gift – your talent, time and capital will ensure the most powerful result. In 2009, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett Nicola and I grew up in Australia, a prosperous country whose friendly people share a deep desire met, and agreed to give away the vast to help others least fortunate. A country that affords opportunities born of education, democracy, respect for law and title, and an independent judiciary. Australians cherish their freedom to majority of their own wealth, and to accumulate capital and distribute it, in the manner they consider best. We are proud that our fellow appeal to other globally recognised countrymen, in any crisis, always show willingness to do what they can, with whatever they have business people to give away at least to help others. Taking our cue from them and the book that has guided much of our lives to date, US$500 million or 50 per cent of their the New Testament, we have focussed on helping those least fortunate. In our country, Indigenous Australians form part of a proportion of those least fortunate. Globally, it is those suffering the wealth to charitable causes. As the unbearable yoke of modern slavery, which infects every country. Forrest family had already made that Nicola and I resist the temptation and pressure to alleviate suffering through short term solutions, commitment amongst themselves, such as cash handouts. This can ultimately weaken the very people that it is intended to help. when they were approached by Bill Instead we choose to construct long term solutions, often through responsible collaboration with Gates to join what became universally governments and other organisations. Our aim is to significantly improve people’s lives through known as the Giving Pledge, the encouraging freedom, education, training and opportunity, thereby providing them with the greatest gift of all – individual personal empowerment and freedom from poverty. Forrests readily agreed to join in We believe in every child’s inalienable right to receive and benefit from education. They had no order to publicly commit to the cause. say in joining our world so it is our responsibility to give them safe passage when they arrive into it. The letter of commitment is housed Education provides the foundation to break the cycle of poverty and lack of freedom. Perhaps even at The Smithsonian National Museum more, it gives parents the exhilaration to realise that there are far greater outcomes available for of American History in Washington DC. them and their children than they may have ever dreamt possible. It is for these reasons that we pledge, with the love and support of our children, to shine a light on inequality and share the vast majority of our wealth. We hope to help empower individuals and families currently suffering the despair of poverty, slavery and the lack of opportunity for themselves and their children. We feel that if we all do whatever we can with whatever we have, large or small, then each of us will help make our world a more equitable and positive environment for others to thrive in. We humbly ask that with your philanthropy and your time, you also consider helping those who do not enjoy the gifts of life we have been so fortunate to receive.
Andrew and Nicola #EndSlavery
www.globalfreedomnetwork.org
80 2 DECEMBER 2014 A UNITED FAITH AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY